TMJ Treatment
The connects your jawbone to your skull on both sides. TMJ disorders occur when there is pain associated with the movement of your jaw, thus requiring treatment from our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists to manage discomfort.
Acting as sliding hinges, both of your temporomandibular joints allow for your jaw to move up and down as well as side to side when you are talking or eating. As you age, pain and dysfunction of the TMJ and or the surrounding muscles can happen resulting in the need for professional attention.
If you’ve noticed any pain of this nature, we can help by recommending TMJ treatment for you.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
The exact cause of a person’s TMJ disorder can be difficult to determine. Fortunately, with certain remedies performed at home, most cases resolve themselves.
Before moving forward with a more invasive or irreversible procedure, it is important to exhaust all forms of self-treatment. Should you need more intensive intervention, our local TMJ dentists are able to suggest a treatment plan that’s right for you.
TMJ disorders can be caused by:
- Genetics or family history
- Increased physical or psychological stress
- Fibromyalgia
- Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint
- Gender; women are more prone to TMJ disorders
- Age; common among people between the ages of 20 and 40
Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Generally, disorders of this type are categorized by aching pain felt in the jaw area or facial muscles. If severe enough, a TMJ disorder can last for years and affect one or both sides of your face.
Common symptoms associated with this condition include:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Aching pain in or around your ear
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Clicking sounds heard coming from jaw
- Muscle pain felt in the cheeks or temples
- Locking of the joint thus making it hard to open or close your mouth
If you have felt one or more of the above symptoms, please contact our Ann Arbor, MI, dental office. We can sit down with you, assess your condition, and provide you with a TMJ disorder diagnosis.
How Do You Treat TMJ Disorders?
Home remedies often include over-the-counter pain medications, the use of a heating pad, the consumption of soft foods, and more. If home solutions are not working, our dentists may recommend a custom TMJ bite splint or night guard to wear while you sleep. The appliance prevents contact between your upper and lower teeth, thus giving the jaw joints a rest.
TMJ pain relief can come in different forms which is why it’s so important for our dentists to fully evaluate your condition before choosing a treatment method.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation
No one should have to put off treatment for a TMJ disorder and suffer the pain associated with it. Our TMJ dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, are here to alleviate your discomfort and get you back to feeling like yourself again. Schedule an appointment with Excel Dental online or call us today at (734) 929-9999.