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TMJ/TMD Therapy – Rexburg, ID
Effective Treatment for a Better Life
Do you experience jaw pain or dysfunction? Is it hard to enjoy your favorite meals? You may have TMJ disorder, which is a common issue that affects millions of people. Thankfully, Dr. Crofoot offer TMJ/TMD therapy as a wonderful solution. After examining your mouth and getting to know you, they’ll be able to develop a personalized treatment plan to get you back the function and comfort you deserve. Read on to learn more about TMJ therapy in Rexburg!
Why Choose Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg for TMJ/TMD Therapy?
- In-House Treatment Options Available
- Experienced Team of Dentists
- State-of-the-Art Technology
Types of TMJ Disorder
There are 3 different types of TMJ disorder:
MUSCLE DISORDERS
If you’re experiencing pain in the muscles surrounding your jaw joint, it could be the muscles themselves causing the issue. This type of TMJ is by far the most common and you should contact the dentist near you for treatment!
JOINT-DERANGEMENT DISORDERS
Compared to the previous type, joint-derangement disorder is a structural problem, not a muscular one. Injury or wear and tear from routine teeth grinding can eventually cause this condition. It’s also possible to experience issues from dislocation/displacement of the articular disc or severe malocclusion.
DEGENERATIVE/INFLAMMATORY JOINT DISORDERS
When a joint becomes old or overused, it can begin to degenerate or inflame. While this problem could also be osteoarthritis, it could be rheumatoid arthritis or a perforated TMJ disc. It’s also important to remember that these disorders can happen simultaneously.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
It’s often unknown what truly causes TMJ disorder, however your problems with jaw muscles or jaw joints may result from one or more of these factors:
- Tooth loss
- A bad “bite”
- Physical injury to the head or neck
- Grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism)
- Jaw misalignment
- Arthritis
- Consistent stress
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is pain—whether it’s constant or intermittent. You may also notice warning signs like:
- Difficulty chewing
- Chronic pain in or near your ear
- Pain in the face, jaw, neck, or shoulders
- Difficulty opening your mouth all the way
- Uncomfortable bite
- Swelling in your face
- Regular head or neck aches
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening your mouth
Types of TMJ Treatment
There are several kinds of TMJ therapy that we may recommend based on the specifics of your unique case. The treatment that’s right for you may not be the same as what’s right for another patient; it depends on what caused your TMJ disorder to begin with, what kind of symptoms you’re experiencing, and other factors. Here’s what our practice has to offer for TMJ relief.
Occlusal Splint
An occlusal splint helps take some of the pressure off of your TMJ. It works by keeping your jaw in a more comfortable position; additionally, it also protects your upper and lower arches from the harmful effects of teeth grinding. You can expect your splint to fit snugly on your teeth since it will be made with your specific smile in mind. In general, you’ll only need to wear your splint at night. The timeline for the treatment varies from patient to patient, but you should see an improvement in your symptoms fairly quickly.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment
A misaligned bite can affect the way pressure is distributed in your mouth and prevent your jaw muscles from fully relaxing, thus eventually leading to a TMJ disorder. We can often help your teeth come together properly with an occlusal adjustment. This is where we identify the teeth that are causing the problem and shave a bit of enamel from them. We might also have to make some changes to any restorations that you currently have.
Treatment with a TENS Machine
A TENS machine uses small electrical impulses to stimulate your nerves, often causing a tingling sensation. When used to treat TMJ disorder, it causes the body to produce more endorphins, which help relieve pain. It also massages your jaw joint and relieves some of the tension that might be contributing to your discomfort.
BOTOX® Injections
As surprising as it might sound, BOTOX® can be used for more than just smoothing out wrinkles. In some cases, your TMJ disorder is caused by muscles in your jaw moving without you realizing it. BOTOX® works by temporarily paralyzing these muscles, which effectively allows your jaw to relax. The treatment is quite simple and can typically be completed in less than 30 minutes. If you’re happy with the results, you can have a follow-up treatment performed after a certain number of months.
TMJ Disorder FAQs
Although TMJ disorder is fairly common, many people do not know much about it unless they have direct personal experience. Are you suffering from persistent jaw pain and looking for answers? Our knowledgeable staff has collected some of the most common questions about TMJ disorder and answered them below. We hope you find this FAQ section informative!
Without treatment, problems related to the temporomandibular joint can progressively worsen over time. So, if you believe that you may have TMJ disorder, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our experienced team at Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg.
What Is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?
Don’t feel embarrassed if you were wondering what the difference is between these two similar acronyms. We get this question a lot! TMJ refers specifically to the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull on either side of your head. TMD, meanwhile, stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. There are a whole group of conditions that cause pain or compromise the movement of the jaw joints that fall under the TMD umbrella. Finally, TMJ disorder is often used interchangeably with TMD.
Who Does TMJ Disorder Affect the Most?
According to the National Institutes of Health, estimates suggest over 10 million Americans are affected by TMJ disorder. Although both men and women can experience problems with the temporomandibular joint, women are much more affected overall. In fact, women account for 90% of all those who suffer from TMJ disorder. In addition, although a person of any age can experience TMJ problems, it is most common between the ages of 20 to 40 years old.
If My Jaw Joints Keep Popping, Do I Have TMJ Disorder?
A popping or clicking jaw is a common warning sign of TMJ disorder. However, if your jaw pops whenever you open and close your mouth, it does not necessarily mean that you need TMJ therapy. A popping jaw can also be caused by a variety of other factors, not all of which are serious. The best way to determine if TMJ disorder is causing the popping or clicking sounds coming from your jaw is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Snar or Dr. Crofoot at our office in Rexburg.
Are Migraines Linked to TMJ Disorder?
Although migraine pain is typically felt at the top or side of one’s head, the trouble can sometimes start closer to the temporomandibular joint. The bone, muscles, and tendons of the jaw are interconnected with the upper head. Jaw pain caused by grinding teeth can travel to other places in the skull, causing headaches or even severe migraines. In many cases, receiving treatment from a dental professional for TMJ disorder can help reduce the frequency of painful migraines.
How Long Should I Wear an Oral Appliance?
How long a patient should wear their oral appliance to treat TMJ disorder will vary from individual to individual. While some patients may need to wear it all the time, others can relieve their TMD symptoms by only wearing their oral appliance at night. Your specific TMJ therapy will depend on your jaw alignment and the severity of your disorder. When you come to Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg, one of our experienced dentists will carefully evaluate your jaw and create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
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