Causes of TMJ and TMD
If your jaw always feels tense or stiff, you may have developed a habit of grinding your teeth (bruxism) or have a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder (TMD). Many people suffer from migraines, headaches, and other symptoms of TMD without realizing there is a link between the health of their jaw and their overall health and well-being. Dr. Soonmyo Wheeler specializes in diagnosing and treating TMD through a variety of treatment options. Here, we not only help ease TMJ pain, but get to the root cause to restore health and function.
Common symptoms of TMJ
A misalignment of the jaw is one of the most common reasons why people experience pain or tenderness around the jaw and neck. You’ll need to see an experienced dentist for an appropriate diagnosis. Dr. Wheeler will take some time to learn about your symptoms and lifestyle habits. We may take x-rays of the mouth and jaw to detect any other issues that could be triggering these symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms of TMJ pain include:
Persistent or frequent pain around the ear, face and mouth
Difficulty Chewing
Painful Earaches
Frequent Toothaches
Cracking or tender jaw joints
Headaches and migranes
Jaw joint locking
Muscle spasms
TMJ treatment options
If you are experiencing pain, swelling, and discomfort around the jaw, it’s important to seek treatment from an experienced specialist. Dr. Wheeler offers several effective, non-surgical treatment options that can reduce or eliminate pain and inflammation.
These include:
Splint Therapy
A mouthpiece or bite appliance is used to prevent and protect the teeth from clenching and grinding. Splint therapy also includes mouthpieces that re position the jaw to a more natural position.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections can help relieve muscle spasms and pain in the TMJ.
Spray and Stretch Therapy
This technique uses a combination of topical anesthetic spray and stretching of certain muscles to help alleviate TMJ pain.
Cold Laser Myofacial Pain Treatment
Cold laser therapy is a minimally-invasive option where a cold laser is guided over the TMJ to reduce inflammation and pain.
Chiropractic Care
We often work with chiropractors in conjunction with other treatment options in-office to help you get comprehensive care.
