Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are made up of a group of more than 30 different disorders that all lead to pain in the jaw joint and the muscles which control the jaw. TMDs can severely affect one’s quality of life, causing you pain when you eat, chew, or talk, or constant low-level discomfort. They can lead to headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, and other serious complications.
Our periodontists can diagnose and treat your TMD so you can get back to living a normal, pain-free life! We offer several treatment options depending on the severity of your symptoms and your personal preferences.
If you answer yes to 3 or more questions, or if your pain is 3/10 or more, then Joint Resolution Therapy with Dr. Buck could work well for you!
Dr. Buck created a TMD therapy program known as Joint Resolution Therapy (JRT)JRT incorporates six categories of care. All categories of care need to be performed properly and simultaneously by someone who understands jaw function. Then can we add this graphic
Oral appliances can be an effective treatment for TMDs and jaw pain. They look similar to mouth guards or sports guards, and they’re designed to be worn while you sleep. Your oral appliance will be customized to correct imbalances in your bite that are contributing to jaw misalignment and pain. Talk to us today about your oral appliance options and how they may help alleviate your TMD pain.
Treating TMD successfully can sometimes depend on utilizing several modalities. We enjoy speaking with our patients about their physical therapy options, as different exercises and massage techniques have also been shown to relieve jaw pressure and pain. We also recommend yoga practice for our patients who feel their TMD may be caused by daily stressors.
With trigger point injections we inject a very fine needle into the jaw muscle (along with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable), which is designed to deactivate certain trigger points and relieve the built up tension in the area, providing patients relief from their symptoms.
Once known as primarily a cosmetic procedure, Botox injections have become extremely popular in treating TMJ/TMD. Because they relax the muscles in the face and jaw, they can be used to stop the nerve signals that tell your face and jaw to become tense. Typical results can be expected to last for 5-6 months.
Do you have questions about TMJ/TMD therapy? We’ve got answers! Find some of the most frequently asked questions below, or contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any other inquiry you have.
Oftentimes, patients realize they have TMD/TMJ due to the distinct clicking or “popping” sound they hear when they open and close their mouths. Patients also tend to experience pain and tenderness on one or both sides of their face, headaches, toothaches, or tinnitus.
In many cases, either dental or medical insurance will cover TMJ/TMD therapy in part or in full. However, this is dependent on your personal insurance coverage, and the treatments that are provided. Our team will help you understand your benefits, so you can make treatment decisions with confidence.