Get Help for TMJ/ TMD Pain
You can find TMJ / TMD treatment in Dickson, TN & Belle Meade, from Accent Smile Center. Dr. Ford Gatgens and his Dickson dental team know the impact that TMJ pain and symptoms can have on your life.
About TMJ / TMD
Do you have jaw pain or other TMJ symptoms?
Are you aware that migraines, headaches, ear pain, and back and shoulder pain could be related to your jaw?
The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. The problems with your jaw and muscles in your face are what are called TMD or temporomandibular disorders.
Because the jaw is constantly in motion between eating, talking, and chewing gum, those with TMJ symptoms can suffer in a variety of ways. For some, TMJ pain can be more than a mere nuisance; it can be debilitating.
There are no specifics as to why these disorders develop, but injuries to the jaw, joint, or muscles in the head and neck can lead to TMD. Whiplash, grinding or clenching your teeth, arthritis, and stress can all contribute to TMD.
TMJ Symptoms
TMJ disorder, often referred to as TMD, can be caused by a number of reasons, and not all those reasons are necessarily known. We have a number of patients coming in with TMD symptoms. Dental patients around Dickson complain of pain and discomfort around their jaw area.
For some, it affects just one side of their face. For others, both sides. We tend to have more women patients complaining about TMD.
It could be related to stress, ongoing clenching, injury to the jaw, joint degeneration, and other reasons that result in TMJ symptoms. Symptoms can be exacerbated when you are under stress.
Whether you have moderate or severe symptoms and whether they happen occasionally or frequently, we can help eliminate pain and associated symptoms. Here’s a list of some of the TMJ complaints:
There are some common symptoms of TMJ, such as:
- Jaw pain
- Clicking jaw
- Locking jaw
- Ringing in the ears or pain in the ears
- Migraine headaches, headaches and TMJ can be connected
- Neck and back pain
- And more
If you’re experiencing some of these TMJ disorders symptoms, visit Dr. Gatgens to find out how you can get rid of the discomfort and pain. You’ll be examined, answer questions about your health history and discover why you’re suffering TMJ pain.
You may have a problem with your bite, arthritis in the jaw, or even sleep position. Feel free to speak to us in the below chat—we are here to help!
Cosmetic Injectables, Jaw Pain & Headaches
There are a number of TMJ symptoms, and we can treat several of them can be treated with well-known cosmetic injectables.
Injectable treatment can help with jaw pain, headaches, neck pain, and migraines.
Splint Therapy
Find splint therapy for TMJ and sleep apnea at Sleep Well Dickson. These splints act as the cornerstone and most crucial element of our TMJ treatment procedure.
You know how much it can impact your daily life if you suffer from TMJ problems or sleep apnea. But don't worry — splints can be a game-changer for you. They can help alleviate TMJ and sleep apnea symptoms, stabilize your bite, and protect your teeth from damage and wear.
The main goal of splint therapy is to restore your jaw-muscle function and decrease related pain by establishing a balanced bite. This type of mouth splint is specifically designed to minimize pressure on your jaw joints and teeth, training your jaw muscles to relax and lessening the tension on your joint's internal and surrounding tissues.
Many of us clench our teeth too tightly, which can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Splints gently shift your teeth and open your jaws for proper bite formation. When you close your mouth, your teeth shouldn't come in contact, unlike your lips.
A splint cushions your teeth and jawline, allowing your TMJ to restore its natural alignment, mainly during resting state and when the joint isn't fully engaged. As a result, it relaxes your bite muscles and those surrounding your neckline and shoulders.
If you're wondering how long it takes for splints to work, studies have shown that marked improvement is typically seen after six weeks, but not full relief of symptoms.
By three months, all jaw problems, facial pain, and other symptoms in the head and face area tend to resolve. And by six months, even far-reaching symptoms are resolved.
We're committed to providing you with the best TMJ treatment at Sleep Well Dickson. If you have any questions about splint therapy, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Ease the Pain of TMD
If you suffer from TMD and are in the Dickson, TN area, visit Accent Smile Center. You’ll work with our dentists to find the source of your discomfort.
The sooner you get a TMJ assessment, the sooner Dr. Gatgens can examine your mouth and try to determine if there is an easily treatable cause for these symptoms. At Accent Smile Center in Dickson, TN, we treat each patient individually, looking at your overall health as well as your oral health.
Other treatment options are also available, and most options do not involve surgery. Our treatments can include jaw exercises, anti-inflammatory medication, cosmetic injectables, behavior modification, and a customized nightguard to be worn at night to stop clenching and teeth grinding.
Here are some other things you can try to alleviate the pain:
- Don't chew gum
- Eat smaller bites
- Alternate chewing between both sides of your mouth
- Explore stress-relief techniques
Book an appointment with Dr. Ford Gatgens today for a TMJ assessment, and let our team help you stop TMJ pain and symptoms from plaguing your life.