Advanced TMJ/TMD Treatment Options

Get Help With Jaw Pain, Stiffness, And More

If your jaw hurts in Charleston, Dr. Douglas Walker is here to help. At Dental Wellness, our team has the experience, training, and advanced technology necessary to diagnose, treat, and relieve your TMJ/TMD symptoms. Don’t let pain, headaches, or jaw stiffness interfere with your life. Schedule your visit now and take the first steps toward a pain-free smile.

What Is TMJ/TMD And What Causes It?

TMJ/TMD are both terms that are used to refer to “Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.” This is a condition that happens when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ for short) is inflamed or damaged. The TMJ is a small, delicate joint that connects your jawbone to your skull.

TMJ/TMD can be difficult to treat because there are a lot of different things that can cause it, and it often happens due to a combination of different factors. Here are a few of the most common risk factors associated with developing TMJ/TMD.

• Stress
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Misaligned teeth or improper bite (malocclusion)
• Trauma to the side of the face (slips, falls, etc.)
• Arthritis and other inflammatory diseases
• Smoking and using alcohol
• Substance abuse

Recognizing The Most Common Signs Of TMJ/TMD

Not sure if you have TMJ/TMD? The signs and symptoms are usually pretty easy to recognize. Here’s a quick overview of the issues that most TMJ/TMD patients experience.‍

Pain in the back of the mouth – Since the TMJ is located near the back of your jaw, you may feel discomfort near the rear of your mouth, similar to a toothache.‍

Headache and earaches – In TMJ/TMD, pain and headaches typically radiate from near the ear to the rest of the head.

‍Pain when chewing – This may be more pronounced when you eat very tough, hard, or chewy foods.‍

Popping or crunching noises – You may notice popping, crunching, or grinding sounds when you open your mouth widely, yawn, or even during normal speech or eating.‍

Jaw locking – This usually only happens in severe cases of TMJ/TMD. Due to the joint dysfunction, our jaw may physically “lock” shut temporarily when you’re moving your mouth.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it’s best to get professional help from a dentist like Dr. Walker. Schedule a consultation at Dental Wellness today to get out of pain, get back to your daily routine, and protect your oral health.

What Are My TMJ/TMD Treatment Options?

There are a lot of different treatment options that can offer relief from the pain and discomfort of TMJ/TMD. At Dental Wellness, we offer bite splints and orthodontics, and we can work closely with your primary care physician to provide you with relief from your pain and discomfort. Let’s take a deeper look at some of your treatment options now.

Bite splints

Bite splints help prevent teeth grinding during sleep and also relieve pressure on the temporomandibular joint. Over time, this can help the joint heal and recover, eliminating TMJ/TMD.

Orthodontics

If you have TMJ/TMD because you have a bad bite or improperly aligned teeth, orthodontics may be the right solution for you. As an Invisalign Gold provider, Dr. Walker can help you straighten your smile and relieve your TMJ/TMD without the need to wear traditional braces!

Medication

In some cases, muscle relaxers may be used to help reduce clenching and grinding. Anti-inflammatory drugs can also help relieve discomfort and help the temporomandibular joint heal.

Lifestyle changes

Smoking, using alcohol, and using other drugs are all associated with a higher risk of TMJ/TMD, so ceasing the use of these substances can be very helpful. Other lifestyle changes could include eating softer foods, avoiding chewing gum, and even temporarily limiting how far you open your mouth when you speak and eat.

Physical therapy

In some cases, physical therapy can be helpful for stretching out your jaw joints and restoring your oral range of motion during TMJ/TMD treatment. After an initial consultation with a therapist, it’s often possible to do these exercises on your own.