TMJ and TMD Treatment in Dallas
What is TMJ disorder?
Are you feeling tightness, soreness, or discomfort in your face, head, or neck? Do you experience clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth? If so, it’s time to stop living with TMJ pain and start taking control of your wellness. At Lakewood Dental Studio in Dallas, TX,
Dr. Leisa Robotham
focuses on providing comprehensive TMJ and TMD treatments tailored to each individual’s needs and understands how disruptive temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be.
Did You Know…
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, and TMD is an acronym for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. While TMJ refers to the joint itself, TMD concerns the dysfunction of this joint.
READY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT?
What To Expect At Your Preventive Dental Care Appointment
Comprehensive Exam
Dr. Robotham will take a closer look at your jaw, employing her keen sense of touch to feel for any signs of pain or discomfort as you open and close your mouth while assessing its range-of-motion capabilities. Also, she might request dental x-rays to examine your teeth and jaw to their tiniest details to better understand your anatomy.
TMJ Exercises
For mild cases of TMD, Dr. Robotham might start with TMJ exercises. TMJ exercises are a straightforward and effective way of managing the symptoms of TMJ. These exercises involve carefully choreographed stretching and strengthening to improve jaw stability and decrease discomfort.
Dental Night Guard Fitting
Dr. Robotham might suggest a night guard if your TMJ symptoms are ocurring because of bruxism. Bruxism, or unconscious teeth grinding and clenching, is a common issue many patients face. Dental night guards are an excellent solution for bruxism because this behavior tends to happen at night while patients are asleep. This appliance creates a barrier between your teeth and protects them from damage caused by clenching and grinding.
Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment
TMJ exercises and night guards should ease tension in your jaw, alleviating TMJ pain, headaches, and other damaging side effects of TMJ disorder. After prescribing a night guard, Dr. Robotham encourages you to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure your smile is healthy and that you’re receiving restful sleep with your new dental appliance.
Professional Cleaning
To start things off, we’ll perform a complete cleaning of your teeth and gums, using special tools to remove any plaque and tartar that may have built up along the gumline. Essential aspects of your cleaning will include thorough flossing between your teeth in all those hard-to-reach places, and scraping off plaque that has accumulated along the gum line. To finish the cleaning process, we’ll polish your teeth, leaving you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and ready to smile.
Any Necessary X-Rays
If you’re new to the office or haven’t had dental x-rays in a while, your dentist may recommend that you take some during your preventive care appointment. Dental x-rays let us see what’s going on beneath the surface of your smile, giving us the ability to find issues that may not be visible otherwise. With x-rays, we’re able to make more accurate diagnoses and create more effective and efficient treatment plans.
Comprehensive Exam
Your dentist will review your x-rays and then take a thorough look at your teeth, gums, and the rest of your mouth. If we spot any issues, we’ll take the time to educate you on our findings, so you can keep your dental health on the right track. We make it our goal to keep you educated about your oral wellbeing, so you can make the right decisions for your smile.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Using the information we’ve gathered with your exam and x-rays, we’ll work together with you to craft a treatment plan customized for your unique oral health needs, budget, and lifestyle. If everything looks good, we’ll simply schedule your next routine cleaning and checkup.
Schedule Follow Up Appointment
Our team is here for you! No matter what kind of treatment you schedule, our team is standing by to answer any questions you may have about insurance, financing, or anything else. We’ll do everything possible to make sure your every visit is straightforward and stress-free.
Classic TMJ Symptoms
JAW AND EAR PAIN
The TMJ is strategically placed behind a significant nerve in the face that powers an intricate web of nerves throughout the head and neck. As such, when this joint encounters dysfunction, it can produce symptoms across many areas, radiating discomfort and tension throughout the face, head, and body.
LOSS OF MOBILITY
From conversation to chewing food, the TMJ joint plays a significant role in navigating everyday life. Movement can become impaired if it becomes misaligned due to inflammation or stretched ligaments around the joint itself. This leads to jaw muscles in lock-down mode!
During your exam, your dentist will examine your gums, tongue, and mouth, looking for abnormalities like lesions, lumps, and discolorations. If we discover any oral cancer symptoms, we’ll take a biopsy and send it to a specialist for a comprehensive analysis. Although oral cancer is relatively rare, it’s vital to be diligent about your oral hygiene routine and to regularly visit our office for cleanings and checkups so we can identify any potential problems before they become significant issues.
CLICKING SOUND
If you hear an odd clicking sound or feel a grating sensation when moving your jaw, it could be a warning sign of TMJ disorder. However, if no discomfort is present and there's full mobility in the joint, chances are treatment isn't necessary! Still, it’s best practice to meet with a dentist offering TMJ treatment to ensure your oral health is intact.
Did You Know…
TMD is the second most common musculoskeletal pain.
INTERESTED IN PREVENTIVE SERVICES?
Have Questions About TMJ Disorder or TMJ Treatment? Find Answers Here.
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Is TMJ Disorder A Serious Problem?
While mild cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunction may subside over time, chronic TMJ disorder is significantly more severe and has potential long-term consequences. Chronic TMD can cause lasting damage to the tendons, muscles, and cartilage. In extreme situations, it could lead to nerve problems or permanent dislocation.
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What Happens If You Don’t Treat TMJ Symptoms?
Although TMJ disorder may not be life-threatening, it can take a hefty toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Chronic pain can lead to psychological issues like anxiety and depression, so addressing this painful condition is essential before irreparable damage is done.
Did You Know…
TMJ disorder is more common among women than men.
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