TMJ/TMD Treament
Headaches, sore neck, tight jaw, clicking sound in jaw, or pain around your ears. If you frequently suffer from any of these symptoms, you can benefit from treatment for the joint in your jaw (the Temporomandibular joint or TMJ).
It is common to confuse the abbreviations “TMJ” and ”TMD”. Before we discuss treatment for you, let’s clarify what each of these mean. TMJ is short for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the jaw joint on each side of your face. TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorder, describes a group of conditions characterized by pain and dysfunction of the TMJ and/or muscles surrounding it.
It is not always easy to figure out what is causing your TMD symptoms, but there are many conservative remedies that can help resolve the pain and dysfunction. Our dentists will discuss a strategy with you, and it may include some of the following:
- A temporary change to a softer diet to reduce stress on the muscles and joints.
- Ice and/or moist heat to help relieve soreness and inflammation.
- Gentle stretching exercising to help muscles in spasm.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants to provide relief.
For some of our patients, the disorders may improve by themselves over time. For more severe cases, we may refer you to a specialist to address your symptoms.
Still Curious?
How the Jaw Joints and Muscles Work
The joints and muscles on each side of your jaw work to open and close the mouth. These joints move in many different directions to give you the range of motion needed to chew, talk and swallow.
The two temporomandibular joints are among the most complex joints in the body. They work together in a delicate balance with muscles, ligaments, cartilage and your jaw bones. Pain can result when these parts don’t work together properly.
What Causes TMD?
Several conditions may be linked with TMD. This often makes it difficult to pinpoint the cause of a particular case of TMD. These conditions include:
- jaw or head injuries
- diseases that affect the muscles or joints, such as arthritis
- tooth grinding
- anxiety and/or stress
To determine how best to treat your TMD, a complete evaluation is recommended. Your dentist may check the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed, so it is important to keep your dental office record up-to-date about your health even though you may not think it has anything to do with your teeth. Your dentist may take X-rays of your teeth, jaw or TMJ, and may make a model of your teeth to see how your bite fits together.
Patient education content ©2020 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. “ADA” and the “ADA” Logo are registered trademarks of the American Dental Association
There's no better time to get started.
Call (817) 428-1800 or click below to schedule your appointment today.
What Our Patients Have to Say
Read more reviews from thousands of our happy patients
1213 Hall Johnson Road, Suite 100, Colleyville, TX 76034
| Monday - Wednesday | 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM — 4:00 PM |
| Friday - Sunday | Closed |
We are closed for lunch from 1 PM – 2 PM.