What is TMJ treatment?
TMJ treatment is a dental specialty that diagnoses, treats, and prevents temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Your temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull, allowing you to bite, chew, and speak. Sometimes, these joints (and the surrounding muscles) become inflamed, causing jaw pain, tenderness, and headaches or migraines.
Without early intervention and treatment, TMJ typically worsens over time. Fortunately, it’s possible to manage, often with conservative, noninvasive treatments.
Who can benefit from TMJ treatment?
Anyone who’s living with a temporomandibular joint disorder can benefit from TMJ treatment. Make an appointment at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas if you regularly experience any of the following symptoms:
- Aching facial pain
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain in or around your ears
You might also benefit from TMJ treatment if your jaw makes clicking or popping noises when you bite down, chew, or speak.
What are the types of TMJ treatment?
At Advanced Dental Care of East Texas, Dr. Koch offers several types of TMJ treatment, including:
Custom-made dental orthotics
Dental orthotics are custom-crafted oral appliances that improve the alignment of your jaw. To ensure your appliance fits perfectly, Dr. Koch takes a series of digital impressions with an intraoral scanner. Then, he sends your scans to a dental laboratory that creates the custom appliance.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS is an outpatient procedure that uses low-voltage electrical currents to help your muscles relax. By relieving muscle tension, it’s possible to minimize the frequency of headaches and jaw pain triggered by TMJ.
Oral surgery
If your symptoms persist even after conservative measures like a custom dental orthotic or TENS, Dr. Koch might recommend oral surgery. Oral surgery can permanently alter your bite, minimizing the risk of teeth grinding and muscle tension.
What type of TMJ treatment will benefit me?
The type of TMJ treatment that will most benefit you depends on your age, dental health history, and symptoms. Following a comprehensive oral exam and a discussion of your goals, Dr. Koch can develop a custom care plan that aligns with your needs.
Don’t wait to request TMJ treatment at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas. Call to speak with an administrative staff member, or click the online booking tool.
