TMJ in Austin, TX
Get jaw and joint pain relief at Westgate Family Dental.
Do you have persistent jaw pain that gets in the way of your daily life, affecting mood, concentration, and overall health? The issue could be caused by TMJ disorder.
TMJ, short for temporomandibular joints, includes the jaw muscles and joints that let you open and close your mouth to eat, speak, and yawn. The TMJ is a complex system, and if there’s a problem with it, this prevents the jaw from functioning properly – called a TMJ disorder. Causes of TMJ disorder include teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, stress, injury, and arthritis.
Signs of TMJ disorder:
We can help diagnose and treat your TMJ disorder so that you return to normalcy.
Treating your TMJ disorder successfully will relieve pain and discomfort.
We'll create a treatment plan that's easy to follow.
Your whole health will improve when your oral health improves.
After an initial consultation at Westgate Family Dental in Austin, TX, we’ll examine your jaw and explore different TMJ treatments. Treatment starts with the easiest option first.
- Step 1
We diagnose TMJ disorder by examining the jaw, which includes feeling and listening to the jaw when opened and closed. We also check the jaw’s range of motion and gently press on areas around the jaw to locate areas of discomfort. Additionally, we take an x-ray of the temporomandibular joint and discuss your medical history.
- Step 2
After an exam, the dentist may recommend simple remedies to try at home, such as eating softer food, practicing relaxation or meditation to loosen muscles, special exercises to strengthen the jaw, and applying heating packs. Treatment may be advised, such as medication to relax muscles or a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding and clenching. In severe cases, the bite may need to be adjusted with orthodontic treatment or surgery.
- Step 3
We prescribe the treatment for your TMJ disorder and create a custom night guard if needed. A custom-made nightguard called an orthotic appliance prevents grinding and clenching. Follow your treatment plan, nightguard, and we’ll record your progress.
We’ll review treatment, and if it doesn’t help with the TMJ pain, we’ll move to the next phase of TMJ treatment to correct the bite. This may include orthodontics, crowns, bridges, and in serious cases, surgery for the joint or alignment itself.
- What is the main cause of TMJ?
There are several causes of TMJ disorder, including teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, congenital growth, stress, mouth injury, and arthritis.
The cause of TMJ disorder can include physical and emotional stress. Daily stress can lead to jaw clenching, which causes pressure to the jaw and its muscles and ligaments.
TMJ disorder can cause jaw pain, neck pain, earaches, headaches, inability to open the mouth fully, and a popping jaw.
- Does TMJ go away?
With TMJ treatment at Austin, TX, we can find the best way to ease your jaw pain.
- How long does it take for TMJ to go away?
TMJ flare-ups can last for several hours to days, but there are ways to prevent flare-ups at home.
Contact us to find the best treatment to control your TMJ disorder and, in turn, the TMJ flare-ups as well.
- What happens if TMJ is left untreated?
TMJ disorder is not life-threatening but can turn into a debilitating condition if left untreated. TMJ pain and discomfort can become chronic and even cause anxiety and depression.
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is one of the leading reasons for chronic jaw and facial pain. Don’t let TMJ disorder slow you down. Please schedule a consultation with our dentist today.
- What can a dentist do for TMJ?
Your dentist can help diagnose and treat your TMJ disorder by creating a custom treatment plan starting with the easiest and least invasive options.
If your TMJ disorder is caused by jaw clenching or teeth grinding, then your dentist can make a custom nightguard to prevent this.
Changing your view of Austin, TX dentistry.
6700 West Gate Blvd #101, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 447-0808
