TMJ
What is the TMJ?
The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint responsible for attaching the lower jaw to your skull. As with many other joints in the human body, this one can become dysfunctional over time. TMJ disorder or dysfunction can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling around the joint area. We offer many different treatment options to help make the TMJ more comfortable and reduce the pain and immobility that you might be experiencing.
Why is treatment of TMJ Disorder necessary?
If you have TMJ dysfunction or disorder, this can get in the way of your quality of life. It might be difficult for you to open your mouth fully, and it might even hurt to chew and eat foods. For some patients, this area may look swollen and inflamed, which can cause you to feel poorly about your appearance. Treatment can help to eliminate these problems and prevent them from getting worse.
Who is a candidate for TMJ treatment?
To determine if you have TMJ-related problems, we will examine the joint by listening to it and feeling it while you open and close your mouth. Many times, the joint will click, pop or even make a grinding noise when in use. X-rays and other special images can give us a clear view of any problems happening below the surface. If you have a TMJ-related disorder, it is important to consider treatment as soon as possible to receive the maximum benefits.
What can you expect with TMJ treatment?
We offer several types of treatments for your specific needs. For patients with mild to moderate TMJ dysfunction, we will start with more mild treatments to see if they help. If you have severe TMJ dysfunction, we may recommend more aggressive treatment. Our goal is to eliminate the pain you’re experiencing while improving the mobility of this joint. Before any treatment, we will go over your health and medical history. This can help us determine the right treatment for you.
Some of our treatment options include:
- Pain relievers
- Hot/cold therapy
- Physical therapy
- Botox injections
- Treatment of bruxism (grinding)
- Surgery
WHAT ARE BOTOX INJECTIONS FOR TMJ?
Botox is an injection that has long been used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Fortunately, Botox has been studied for use in a wide range of medical problems, making it safe and highly effective. This injection is available for most patients who suffer from TMJ dysfunction. Botox has been found to be helpful when it comes to eliminating, relieving, and minimizing many jaw-related problems, like cases of lock jaw. The results of treatment can last for months. Once the effects wear off, we can administer the Botox injections again to keep the TMJ area free of pain, swelling, and any related discomfort.
If you suffer from discomfort and stiffness and would like to learn more about TMJ dysfunction along with the several treatment options available, such as Botox injections, call us today to speak with one of our highly skilled staff members.
