TMD Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

TMD symptoms can vary widely, including issues that may not seem to be related to the jaw: chronic headaches, neck and shoulder stiffness, ringing in the ears, or even dizziness.

The jaw or jaw muscles may feel sore or painful, especially in the morning or when eating or yawning. Popping or clicking noises may occur when opening and closing your mouth, or it may even be difficult to do so. The teeth may feel sensitive for no apparent reason.

TMD Causes

TMD is often caused by a jaw dislocation resulting from an injury or from chronic grinding of the teeth, as well as arthritis or muscular imbalances. The way the teeth fit together in the bite can contribute as well, which may affect the way that it’s treated.

Diagnosing TMD Disorders

Diagnosis can be tricky because of the different causes of TMD and ways that the condition presents itself. Dentists will perform a thorough examination, listen to and test your symptoms, review complete medical records, and sometimes take blood tests to rule out other causes of symptoms.

If your condition can’t be diagnosed using these methods, x-rays will be taken and other tests such as MRIS, CT scans, and bone scans may be done until a proper diagnosis is reached.

Treatment Options

The pain and other symptoms of TMD usually go away when the underlying cause heals or receives treatment. Splints, hot and cold treatment, and medication may help to relieve swelling and pain if the condition was caused by an injury.

Home remedies like eating only softer foods and doing stretching exercises may also help. If stress or teeth grinding are causing symptoms, relaxation techniques and a mouth guard may help to treat the disorder and relieve symptoms.

If these less invasive techniques are unsuccessful, TENS or trigger point injections may be used to relax the muscles of the face and provide pain relief. If all other options are exhausted, surgery may be considered. Surgery may be performed to remove scar tissue or to reposition the discs that cushion the jaw bone.

Our team has the experience and qualifications needed to treat TMD disorders. If you think you may have one, call today to schedule an appointment.