TMJ Treatment – Melbourne
Put an End to Chronic Jaw Pain
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, also called “TMD,” affects millions of Americans and can cause a variety of painful or annoying symptoms. Common problems associated with TMJ disorder include headaches, migraines, jaw pain, earaches, and dizziness. We take a patient-centered approach to TMJ disorder and can help you determine the best method of treatment for your symptoms. To learn more about TMJ disorder, keep reading! To schedule an appointment, give our office a call!
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to a disruption of the nerves, joints, and muscles involved in chewing. The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) can become misaligned due to stress, injury, illness, or other factors. This creates strain on the surrounding muscles and nerves and often results in chronic pain or difficulty chewing. As your general dentist, we will examine your jaw joints and muscles, as well as your occlusion (bite) to determine the source of your discomfort.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?
There are a variety of symptoms that people with TMJ disorder commonly encounter. Here are some of the most prominent ones.
- Headache: One of the most underdiagnosed causes of frequent headaches is TMD. The jaw muscles because tense, strained, and overworked, so it is easy for this to affect the nearby muscles in the head.
- Ear Pain: Since the TMJ is located next to the ears, having a dysfunctional joint can easily result in ear pain. It can also cause ringing in the ears, called “tinnitus.”
- Face/Jaw Pain: Jaw Stiffness and pain are the most common symptoms of TMD. It can be difficult to chew comfortably, and lockjaw is very common.
- Bruxism: Teeth clenching and grinding can be caused by daily stress, a misaligned bite, and TMD. It usually occurs during sleep and can overwork the jaw muscles, leading to additional pain.
Types of TMJ Treatment
Treatment for TMJ disorder ranges from patient to patient, depending on the causes and the severity of symptoms. We may recommend an oral appliance that re-aligns the jaw joints. Patients may also be advised to avoid chewing gum, crunchy foods, and extensive jaw movement. Focused facial relaxation and over-the-counter analgesics can provide relief, as well. We will guide you to the appropriate treatment and make recommendations for conservative therapies to combat TMJ pain. Here are two common treatment options we offer.
Occlusal Splint
An occlusal splint may look like a regular mouthguard, but while it does protect the teeth from grinding against each other, it’s designed to adjust the position of the jaw. Specifically, it’s made to guide the jaw slightly forward to relieve pressure on the TMJs when it’s at rest. You will generally wear your occlusal splint at night, but we will give you more specific instructions to meet your unique needs.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments
If your TMD symptoms are due to your teeth not coming together evenly, you may need an occlusal adjustment. We can remove small amounts of enamel from certain areas of your teeth so that they fit together properly. As a result, your jaw will no longer be exposed to an excessive amount of force whenever you bite or chew. In some cases, we may also build up your teeth with dental restorations.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
Yes! That’s the beauty of occlusal splints and occlusal adjustments/equilibration. While other TMJ solutions only provide temporary results, these treatments address the root cause of your TMJ disorder by relieving tension or fixing misalignment. Once the source of the problem is taken care of, your condition is essentially cured, and you can expect lasting relief.
Is TMJ Treatment Safe?
When overseen by a qualified professional like Dr. Chenet, TMJ treatment is quite safe. Occlusal splints and equilibration/occlusal adjustments have a particularly reliable track record and are considered to be conservative and non-invasive treatments. If you’re concerned about your safety during TMJ treatment, please don’t hesitate to let our team know so we can address your concerns.
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take?
It depends on the severity of your TMJ disorder and the type of treatment you choose. On average, however, here’s what you can expect:
- Occlusal splints, when worn every night, can start to alleviate TMJ symptoms within a few weeks to several months. In many cases, the relief lasts a lifetime.
- Equilibration/occlusal adjustments usually provide relief soon after the patient’s bite or teeth are corrected. In just a few days, you should feel a huge difference.
Does Occlusal Adjustment for TMJ Hurt?
Occlusal adjustments can be made by filling down a patient’s teeth ever-so-slightly or by adding mass to the teeth with composite resin. Adding the composite resin is not usually painful. Rest assured, if it’s necessary to remove a tiny sliver of your enamel during your occlusal adjustment, we’ll numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. You might feel a little bit of pressure but shouldn’t experience outright pain.
If your mouth is sore after the anesthetic wears off, take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. They’re usually effective at managing post-treatment discomfort.
Is TMJ Treatment Covered by Insurance?
The answer to this is a bit tricky. Coverage varies state-by-state and plan-by-plan, and can also depend on the cause of your TMJ disorder, the severity of your symptoms, and the treatment being performed. Fortunately, our team is familiar with many different types of insurance plans. We’ll review your benefits carefully to make sure you receive as much coverage as possible for your TMJ treatment in Melbourne. If you have specific questions about the fine-print of your plan, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask our friendly team!