TMJ treatment is designed to alleviate painful or uncomfortable symptoms that are typically associated with a TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is essential to chewing and speaking comfortably. When this joint is damaged, a patient may experience various symptoms affecting their quality of life.
Although there is no singular cause for TMJ disorder, patients can develop this for a number of different reasons. Factors like trauma, injury, or teeth grinding can affect your risk of developing TMJ disorder. Undergoing the appropriate testing can help your dentist determine the underlying cause and create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Advanced Dental Health in Hunt Valley, MD provides comprehensive evaluations and testing for TMJ disorder patients. If you are experiencing any signs of this disorder, it is imperative that you schedule a consultation. Baltimore restorative dentist Dr. Ashley Izadi works with patients one-on-one to understand their needs and create a solution that is right for them.
Sign That You Have a TMJ Disorder
Do you wake up with headaches? Are you experiencing facial pain or tension?
These are an indication of a TMJ disorder. However, it is necessary to undergo the appropriate testing to rule out any other issues. During your evaluation, it is important to disclose any symptoms you may be experiencing so we can build a comprehensive plan to restore function and health to your jaw joint. The most common TMJ symptoms include:
- Reoccurring morning headaches
- Difficulty chewing or moving the jaw
- Worn down or damaged teeth
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, especially when you sleep
- Earaches
- Jaw pain
- Frequent lockjaw
- Feelings of tension or pain in the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back
TMJ Treatment in Hunt Valley
The purpose of treatment is to ease your symptoms, prevent further damage, and repair existing damage. As highly trained restorative dentists, Dr. Izadi and Dr. Rafat take the time to evaluate dental health, understand your symptoms and concerns and build a comprehensive treatment plan based on your needs.
At Advanced Dental Health, we offer a full range of solutions to address TMJ disorder. Based on your individual needs, we may recommend one or more of the following treatments.
- Mouthguard / Night guards: For patients who grind their teeth, it is important to give them an extra layer of protection to stop teeth grinding and prevent further damage to the teeth. A custom-designed mouthguard/night guard is ideal for tooth grinding and teeth clenching.
- Restorative Dentistry: If your teeth have sustained damage, restorative dentistry treatments are an ideal way to restore function, beauty, and health to your smile. We offer a full range of dental implant services for patients who lose teeth due to advanced TMJ disorder.
- Orthodontics: If crooked teeth or malocclusion have contributed to TMJ disorder, seek treatment to realign your smile before more issues arise. We offer Invisalign treatment to help realign a crooked or misaligned smile.
TMJ Disorder FAQs
Do I need to see a specialist for TMJ disorder treatment?
Yes. A TMJ evaluation and treatment should be conducted by a TMJ specialist for a proper diagnosis. The best TMJ specialist is a dentist with special training in diagnosing and treating TMJ-related symptoms.
Can I live comfortably with a TMJ disorder?
You might not live a comfortable life with TMJ left unaddressed. TMJ symptoms are usually too much of a burden for a patient to forgo treatment. Although, it is possible to live with TMJ as this disorder is not deadly.
Do I need TMJ surgery?
Most patients do not need to undergo surgery for TMJ. There are other less-invasive methods available that can treat a TMJ disorder. Treatments such as orthodontics, night guards, Invisalign, and other restorative procedures can alleviate issues without surgery. Instances of severe cases are the most likely to undergo a surgical procedure.
Schedule A TMJ Evaluation and Treatment Consultation
If you are experiencing TMJ disorder symptoms, visit our team at Advanced Dental Health for a consultation. Our team can assess your current condition and recommend the most effective treatment for your dental needs. To schedule an appointment, call (410) 656-2278 or request an appointment online.