Facial Reconstruction

TMJ Treatment in the Irving Area

TMJ disorders are issues with the complex jaw joint that can cause pain or a clicking sound. These problems, which involve the temporomandibular joint (the joint connecting your jaw to your skull), are now easier to diagnose and treat than in the past. Symptoms arise when the jaw joints and chewing muscles don’t work in harmony. Early detection and treatment of TMJ disorders are crucial because they can lead to more serious conditions if not addressed. Understanding these symptoms and seeking treatment promptly ensures that the jaw joint and its associated muscles function properly, reducing discomfort and preventing further complications.

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 your jaws feel sore and stiff, with muscles tensed?
Are headaches or neck pain a common occurrence for you?
Does the pain intensify when you grind your teeth?
Does the act of clenching and associated pain worsen with stress?
When opening your mouth, does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock?
Is opening your mouth to eat or yawn accompanied by difficulty or pain?
Have your head, neck, or jaws ever been injured?
Do you experience issues like arthritis in any of your joints?
Have you noticed that your teeth don’t make contact when biting down?
Do the way your teeth align seem to change occasionally?
Is biting or tearing food with your front teeth challenging?
Are any of your teeth sensitive, loose, broken down, or excessively worn?

If you answered yes to several of these questions about jaw pain or discomfort, you likely have TMJ disorder. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for seeking effective TMJ treatment.

TMJ Treatment

DFWOMS in Irving provides TMJ treatment options for those experiencing jaw discomfort, especially from grinding your teeth. Our TMJ specialists near Irving are equipped to offer a diagnosis of TMJ disorder after a detailed examination. Following diagnosis, we will outline the best treatment approach, emphasizing the importance of combining self-care strategies with professional care to achieve optimal results in managing the condition.

Our TMJ treatment in the Irving area is designed to relieve muscle spasms and joint pain. We often use pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or BOTOX® injections into the masticatory muscles for relief. Steroids may also be injected directly into the joints to reduce inflammation and pain. Alongside these treatments, self-care treatments are encouraged 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

Our oral surgeons might suggest stress management techniques like biofeedback, exercise, yoga, or physical therapy. We could also recommend a special clear plastic appliance known as a splint or night guard. This appliance fits over your teeth and keeps them apart, which helps in relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances for various needs. A night guard prevents you from clenching or grinding your teeth at night and reduces muscle tension to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces.

What about bite correction or surgery?

In severe cases of TMJ, where the jaw is dislocated, won’t open, or shows severe degeneration, and when conservative therapy like bite adjustment, orthodontics, or restorative dental work hasn’t helped, surgical treatment may be necessary. This could involve less invasive procedures like arthroscopy or more complex ones like open-joint surgery and jaw reconstruction. Surgery is typically the last resort after other treatments have failed to improve the condition.

Contact Us

If you’re dealing with the pain of TMJ disorders, including symptoms like grinding your teeth, our skilled Irving team at DFW Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is here to help. We’ve earned the prestigious accreditation for Office-Based Surgery from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a testament to our commitment to safety and high standards. Our doctors and staff are experts in TMJ treatment, offering the best care and advanced solutions for your symptoms. You don’t have to suffer from discomfort any longer—contact us today to schedule your TMJ treatment appointment in the Irving area!