You’re probably used to visiting your dentist whenever you have problems with your teeth or gums. But if you’re suffering from chronic pain due to a TMJ disorder, you might be surprised to learn that a dental professional can help with that as well! Not only can they diagnose the problem, but they can also offer a variety of solutions. The following post explores why it’s worth calling your dentist if you need TMJ therapy.
What is a TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder is a problem with the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect your jaw to your skull. You may notice jaw pain, headaches, a popping or clicking sound when you open your mouth, a ringing in your ears, and other symptoms. The cause of the disorder isn’t always obvious, but it’s generally linked to injury, bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding), arthritis, and/or misaligned teeth.
How Can a Dentist Help with Your TMJ Disorder?
Dentists have been trained to understand how the jaw functions, which means they’re experts in recognizing and addressing TMJ disorders. Once they’ve examined your jaw, they can offer various types of treatments to reduce your pain:
- Occlusal Splint: An occlusal splint is a simple oral appliance that can slightly move the lower jaw forward, relieving some of the pressure that might be causing a TMJ disorder. It also helps keep the upper and lower rows of teeth separated, protecting them from the clenching and grinding that often contribute to TMJ problems.
- Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment: If your upper and lower teeth don’t come together evenly, they can put excessive pressure on your TMJ. Your dentist can remove small amounts of enamel or place crowns on specific teeth to create a more harmonious bite.
- TENS Therapy: A TENS machine uses an electrical current to help the facial muscles relax, and it might also help stimulate nerve cells that can block pain signals from being sent to the brain. TENS therapy is usually combined with other treatments to reduce TMJ symptoms.
- BOTOX®: Surprisingly, BOTOX® can be very useful for addressing TMJ symptoms. It stops the muscles around the jaw from making unconscious movements that contribute to TMJ pain. While the effects of BOTOX® are only temporary, they can provide several months of relief, keeping your jaw comfortable while you look for a more permanent solution to your disorder.
Have you noticed symptoms that might point to a problem with your TMJ? Delaying treatment will only worsen the problem; it’s best to call your dentist for TMJ pain as soon as possible. Once they’ve diagnosed the problem, they can help you explore multiple therapy options and narrow down which one is the best choice for helping you reclaim a pain-free lifestyle.
About the Author
Dr. Melody Stampe has over 30 years of dental experience. She has a special interest in treating TMJ disorders to help patients find lasting relief from chronic jaw pain. At Richardson Sleep and Facial Pain Center at Cityline, she provides occlusal splints, equilibration, TENS therapy, and other forms of TMJ treatment. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Stampe, visit her website or call (972) 231-9499.