TMJ Therapy
Do you typically have a sore jaw or headache in the morning? Does your jaw often feel stiff and click or pop whenever you move it? These are common signs of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, let you move your jaw in all directions, but when it becomes strained or irritated, the pain can radiate through the head and neck. Fortunately, the team at Dentistry on the Ponds can figure out what’s causing your jaw pain and provide longstanding relief with TMJ treatment in our Chanhassen, MN, dental office. Contact us today to learn more!
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to any condition that affects the muscles, nerves, cartilage, and bone that make up your main jaw joint. In addition to causing pain and stiffness in the jaw itself, other symptoms of TMD include worn teeth, headaches, neck pain, and even earaches. It’s also one of the most underdiagnosed sources of chronic migraines. It can occur in tandem with sleep apnea as well—stoppages in breathing throughout the night can cause the jaw to move in such a way that it tires the muscles and causes soreness.
Diagnosis & Treatment
The TMJs might have trouble functioning properly for various reasons, such as an injury, the onset of arthritis, and unconscious teeth grinding or jaw clenching. To identify the root cause of the problem, your dentist will perform a few tests and take digital X-rays of the joint. Once we’ve pinpointed where exactly things went wrong, we can put together a custom treatment plan to relieve your pain and restore function to your TMJs.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a type of personalized mouthguard that is worn to bed. It slightly shifts the jaw into a more relaxed orientation, taking much of the strain off of the jaw joints. Splints also double as a nightguard, preventing the nocturnal clenching and grinding that often occur alongside TMD. After just a few weeks or months of consistently wearing the splint to bed, most patients are able to go about their daily lives without any unpleasant TMD symptoms.
BOTOX for TMJ Treatment
BOTOX is popular for reversing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but it’s also an effective solution to stop jaw pain caused by TMJ disorders. BOTOX can help relax tense muscles to reduce pain and inflammation. Dr. Monil Mehta can help you enjoy long-lasting relief and improve jaw functions using a personalized treatment plan.
