Facial Reconstruction

TMJ Treatment in the Ennis Area

TMJ disorders involve problems with your complex jaw joint, leading to symptoms like pain or a clicking sound. These issues happen when the jaw and chewing muscles don’t work well together. Thankfully, with advances in medical science, these conditions are now easier to diagnose and treat than in the past. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is crucial as it connects your jaw to your skull. Early detection and treatment of TMJ disorders are vital to prevent them from developing into more severe problems. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, seeking help early can make a big difference in managing the condition effectively.

If you’re looking for TMJ treatment in Ennis, Irving, Mesquite, or anywhere else in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, come to DFW Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Our oral surgeons are highly skilled in managing TMJ conditions, aiming to improve the health and comfort of your joint. Treatment for TMJ disorders doesn’t happen overnight and requires patience. To start on your path to a better joint function, schedule an appointment with us today.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorders can cause problems with your jaw joint and the surrounding muscles. Consider these questions:

Do you notice yourself grinding your teeth?
Upon waking, do you experience sore, stiff muscles in the muscles around your jaws?
Are headaches or neck pain a common occurrence for you?
Does the pain intensify when you clench your teeth?
Does your clenching and associated pain amplify under stress?
When opening your mouth, does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock?
Do you find it challenging or painful to open your mouth wide to eat or yawn?
Have your neck, head, or jaws ever been injured?
Have you experienced issues with other joints in your body, such as arthritis?
When biting down, do your teeth no longer align properly?
Do you notice a change in how your teeth meet from one moment to the next?
Is biting or tearing food with your front teeth difficult?
Are any of your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or excessively worn?

The more you answer yes to these symptoms, the more likely you have TMJ disorder. Knowing these signs helps you understand how TMJ treatments can help.

TMJ Treatment

DFWOMS offers several TMJ treatment options to help fix your jaw’s harmony and function. If you’re grinding your teeth, our Ennis-area TMJ specialists are ready to assist. After we assess your symptoms and confirm a TMJ disorder diagnosis, we’ll recommend the best treatment for you. Remember, the most effective way to handle this is by combining self-care with professional care for your treatment plan.

Our TMJ treatment in the Ennis area focuses on helping to relieve muscle spasms and joint pain. We often use a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxant, or BOTOX® injections into the masticatory muscles. Steroids are also injected into the joints to reduce inflammation and pain. Alongside these methods, self-care treatments are recommended and include:

Practicing good posture
Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
Resting your jaw
Eating soft foods
Applying ice and heat
Exercising your jaw

To manage stress and alleviate jaw discomfort, employing stress management techniques such as biofeedback, yoga, or physical therapy is advised. In addition, our dental surgeons may recommend using a clear plastic appliance known as a splint or night guard. These appliances are designed to fit over your teeth, keeping them apart to relax the muscles and reduce pain effectively. They are particularly beneficial for individuals prone to grinding their teeth, as they help in reducing muscle tension at night, thereby protecting the cartilage and joint surfaces.

What about bite correction or surgery?

For TMJ disorders that cause problems with how your teeth fit together, treatments like bite adjustment, orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or dental work to fix teeth might be needed. In severe cases, where the jaw is dislocated, won’t open, has severe degeneration, and conservative therapy hasn’t worked, surgical treatment such as arthroscopy or open-joint surgery could be necessary. These surgical options are typically for serious problems when other treatments haven’t helped.

Contact Us

If you’re dealing with TMJ disorders, and experiencing symptoms like grinding your teeth, the expert team near Ennis at DFW Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is ready to assist. Our practice boasts the prestigious Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accreditation for Office-Based Surgery, underscoring our commitment to safety and excellence. The expertise of our doctors and staff, combined with compassionate care and advanced treatments, ensures you receive the best possible TMJ solutions. Don’t continue to endure the pain—contact us today to schedule your TMJ treatment appointment in the Ennis area with DFW Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery!