Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are bite disorders that occur when there is stress or damage to the joints that connect the skull and jaw bone. Patients with TMJ disorders often experience pain in the face and jaw. Over time, TMD symptoms lead to tooth wear, teeth grinding, headaches, and difficulty chewing. TMJ treatment in our Sahuarita, AZ, dental office can reduce these symptoms.
Dr. Jordan Morris provides restorative dental care for TMD patients with custom nightguards. He may also recommend additional treatments to reduce everyday discomfort. Discover more about TMJ disorders and how to address painful symptoms like headaches and jaw pain in our office.
Do I Have a TMJ Disorder?
There can be many common signs of TMJ disorders:
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Pain when eating hard or crunchy foods
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Orofacial pain
- Earaches
- Tooth pain and wear
- Jaw pain (in the joints and muscles)
Let Dr. Morris know if you experience any of these symptoms. You may have a TMJ disorder. Get TMD treatment before symptoms worsen and make eating and yawning painful. Problems like TMJ disorders affect everyday activities and often lead patients to avoid certain foods because of their eating discomfort.
Professional TMJ Treatment in Sahuarita, AZ
There isn’t just one treatment for TMD. Dentists and therapists offer a variety of TMJ treatments:
TMJ Night Guard
Custom night guards, or night splints, benefit patients who clench or grind their teeth at night. Bruxism can occur unconsciously during sleep. Over time, it causes more pain and wears down the natural tooth enamel.
Similar to mouthguards, night guards cover the teeth. However, night guards cover the upper or lower teeth with a hard plastic. Dr. Morris will take dental impressions to ensure your night guard fits properly.
Wearing a custom-made night guard puts the lower jaw forward. This can help you stop clenching and grinding your teeth unconsciously. Custom nightguards can also combat problems like morning headaches. The pain from clenching and grinding your teeth at night radiates throughout the face, meaning you can wake up with headaches or migraines.
Bite Correction
Also known as bite equilibration, a bite correction helps treat a “bad bite.” A bad bite, or malocclusion, occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not come together.
This problem can contribute to TMJ disorders. We often recommend orthodontic treatments to straighten teeth for a more balanced bite, including Invisalign and traditional metal braces. However, we will not recommend Invisalign if you experience teeth clenching and grinding, as you can damage your aligners.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help relieve TMJ pain by using exercise to release face, jaw, shoulders, and back tension. A physical therapist can teach you these exercises so you can do them at home. At your visits, the physical therapist can also use heat and massage to reduce pressure in the facial muscles. We often recommend physical therapy while you begin using your night guard.
Medication
Sometimes, prescribed muscle relaxants can help you feel relaxed before sleep. Relaxing your muscles can help reduce the risk of bruxism and jaw pain. If you have anxiety, medication can help reduce daily and nightly TMJ symptoms. Properly prescribed medication can help reduce stress during the day or during sleep.
Restorative and Cosmetic Care
In the most severe cases, teeth clenching and grinding can wear down your natural teeth. If you notice tooth wear or chips and cracks in your teeth, contact our office. Depending on the extent of your dental injuries, we may recommend bonding or crowns.
Tooth bonding uses resin materials to add structure to teeth. Dental crowns are caps that fully cover and protect teeth. We can color-match these treatments to the shade of your natural teeth.
TMJ Surgery
If lifestyle changes and conservative treatments do not work, we may recommend oral surgery. TMJ surgery can address jaw immobility, inflamed tissue, or problems with your TMJ disc. Surgery can increase your range of movement, reduce pain, and stop inflammation. Our office will refer you to a surgeon to complete this treatment.
Treating TMJ Disorders at Home
In addition to professional care, you can use multiple methods to reduce TMJ symptoms at home. At-home care will ensure that you reinforce positive, lasting habits:
Relax Your Jaw
When you clench your jaw, you can relax your jaw to a neutral position. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth to relax your jaw. Ensure your teeth aren’t touching. Over time, retraining your jaw can help reduce jaw tension and pain during the day.
Yawn Safely
If you have TMD, opening your mouth too wide when eating or yawning can create jaw pain. If you feel a yawn coming, use gentle pressure with your fingers on your chin to help close your mouth.
Use Heating Pads
When you first injure your jaw, you want to use a cold compress to reduce pain. However, if you have reoccurring jaw pain, use a warm compress. Heat will help relax your jaw and facial muscles to relieve tension. Remember to use heating pads for fifteen minutes at a time.
Eat Soft Foods
Dr. Morris may also recommend a soft diet for TMD patients while they receive treatment. Eating soft foods gives the jaw a break, relieving pressure from the joints and muscles. Dr. Morris may recommend a soft diet for several weeks while you begin using your night guard.
Pay Attention to Your Posture
Hunching over when you’re on your laptop or looking at your phone puts pressure on your head, neck, shoulders, and back. Bad posture can affect your bite and jaw position, increasing your risk of TMJ flare-ups. To correct your posture, ensure your device is elevated so you aren’t looking down. Put your shoulders back and remember to sit up straight.
Treat TMD Today
Do you think you may be developing a TMJ disorder? Get TMJ treatment in Sahuarita, AZ, today. Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Morris online or call 520.412.9162 for care.
Please let Dr. Morris know if you have any questions about your current symptoms or concerns. He will gladly help you find the best treatment for your needs.