Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ Therapy for TMD) – DFW Area

The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the place where your jaw attaches to your skull to enable you to open your jaw smoothly. Sometimes the temporomandibular joint is damaged or injured, causing a debilitating condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD). If you are experiencing pain or hearing sounds whenever you open your jaw, then schedule an appointment at Ah! Dentistry to determine if you have TMD. Our skilled DFW area dentists utilize innovative tools to assess and care for your TMD to alleviate symptoms. Your TMJ treatment will be dependent on the cause of your TMD and your particular condition, but a few choices are oral appliances (night or mouth guards), bite alteration, dental restorations, and much more.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction could be brought about by an injury to the jaw, years of jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism), or dental malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). Other conditions that can result in TMD include a tumor in the temporomandibular joint or arthritis. Sometimes the reason behind TMD cannot be determined, but if you are having symptoms and signs, we can diagnose and care for your TMJ. A few of the most typical signs of TMD are tenderness or pain at the jaw joint, involuntary contractions in your face muscles, feeling as though your jaw is rigid or stuck, and frequent headaches that begin around your ears. Another sign is hearing cracking, popping, or clicking when you use your jaw.

To diagnose a temporomandibular dysfunction, our dental team will listen carefully to understand your concerns prior to a physical exam. Throughout the examination, we will evaluate how your jaw moves and search for indicators of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment of your teeth. We will also palpate the jaw joint and lower face for any swelling and tenderness. Additionally, we might request digital images of your lower head along with an analysis of your bite to search for underlying factors that will determine your therapy approach. Depending on the examination, we will discuss your treatment choices that might incorporate a mouth guard, teeth straightening, or restorative dentistry (bridges, crowns, and dentures).

Along with treatments to address the root cause of your temporomandibular joint dysfunction, different strategies may be suggested to alleviate pain and other problems. This may include a soft food diet, not biting your nails or chewing gum, applying heat to your jaw, and relaxation methods. A member of our team may also show you exercises to strengthen your jaws or prescribe medication to relax your facial muscles (and to alleviate pain, nervousness, or even inflammation).

You should continue to attend follow-up appointments so we can assess the results from your TMJ treatment. If your therapy is not working, we might look at another strategy. As soon as your TMD is fully treated, you should still schedule yearly dental examinations at Ah! Dentistry to keep your jaw and teeth healthy.

Dental insurance policies for diagnosing TMJ pain and TMD therapies will change so we will get in touch with your provider to figure out your personal expenses. Whether you do or do not have dental insurance, a member of our team will discuss price quotes when explaining treatment choices. To help make all remedies affordable, Ah! Dentistry takes many payment options, and we will be able to help you find medical financing.