Introduction
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. Disorders of this joint are a family of problems that occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles do not work together correctly. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past.
Common Symptoms
The more of these symptoms you experience, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder:
- Pain: Tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, or headaches and neck aches.
- Sounds: Clicking, popping, or grating noises in the jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth.
- Mobility Issues: Jaws that "catch" or "lock" when you open your mouth, or trouble opening wide.
- Bite Changes: Difficulty chewing, teeth that no longer touch when you bite, or teeth that meet differently from time to time.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Dr. Tran and Dr. Graves can help you have a healthier, more comfortable jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, they will determine the proper course of treatment.
Conservative TreatmentMost cases are managed with a team approach of self-care combined with professional care.
- Splints & Guards: A splint (or nightguard) fits over your teeth to keep them apart, relaxing the muscles and reducing pain.
- Medication: Muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, or pain relievers are often used to relieve muscle spasms. Steroids can also be injected directly into the joints to reduce inflammation.
- Therapy: Physical therapy and stress management techniques may be recommended.
Surgical OptionsIf conservative treatment fails, or if there is severe joint damage, we perform procedures ranging from bite adjustment to joint repair.
- Procedures: Surgical options include arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring.
- When is surgery needed? We reserve surgery for severe cases where the jaw cannot open, is dislocated and non-reducible, or has severe degeneration.