TMJ – temporomandibular joints – are the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. They are necessary for jaw movement, helping you chew, talk and swallow. TMJ disorders crop up when there is an anomaly with your jaw muscles, joints, and jaw. Causes include jaw injury, arthritis, and inflammation.

At Bay Colony Dental, we discourage TMJ patients from using over-the-counter medication to manage TMJ disorders. If you are experiencing TMJ pain, we encourage you to come into our clinic at Dickinson, TX. Treatment for TMJ includes medication and therapies.

Symptoms of TMJ include:

• Locked jaw
• Pain in the ear, neck, face, and jaw
• Pain in your temples while chewing
• Frequent headaches
• Popping, clicking, or grating sounds when eating, opening, or closing your mouth.

Medication for TMJ

Our dentists will advise on one of the following medication options:

• Prescribed anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. These help to provide short-term solutions.
• Antidepressants help with bruxism control, sleeplessness, and pain relief when administered in small dosages.
• Muscle relaxers for TMJ disorders caused by muscle spasms.

Mouthguards or Splints

These mouthpieces are fixed on your upper or lower teeth to avert direct contact. Mouthguards and splints help reduce the effects of grinding or clenching while also aligning your teeth to the correct position. It also helps alleviate pain while sleeping.

Surgery

If conservative treatment does not work, our dentist may work closely with an oral surgeon who may perform these surgeries.

• TMJ arthroscopy – The dentist makes a small incision on the affected area, a cannula is placed into the joint, and an arthroscope is used to perform the surgery.
• Arthrocentesis – This is a slightly invasive procedure in which debris is rinsed from the joints after the injection and suction of fluids.
• Open-joint surgery – This is usually explored as the last resort because it is highly invasive and involves opening your jaw and fixing all deformities.

If you think you have TMJ disorder, contact us today. Our dentist at Bay Colony Dental in Dickinson, TX will evaluate your TMJ condition and provide an appropriate treatment plan.