TMJ

TMJ disorder (TMD) is a condition that involves the temporomandibular joints (TMJs)—the joints that lie on either side of the face, connecting the lower jaw to the skull. The TMJ is a complex hinge-like joint that can virtually move in every direction to help you chew, smile, and talk. Healthy TMJs don’t cause any pain or discomfort. However, when inflamed, strained, or infected, TMJs cause numerous undesirable symptoms.

These include:

• Tension headaches
• Jaw pain or soreness
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Earaches
• Pain in the face, neck, and shoulders
• Clicking sounds when opening and closing your mouth
• Locked jaw
• Difficulty or painful chewing

Living with constant pain and discomfort isn’t something you should have to endure. Our expert team understands the complexities of TMJ disorders and offers comprehensive, personalized treatment plans designed to address the root cause of your pain.

Before treatment, we’ll evaluate your TMJ’s range of motion with a physical exam. Sometimes, we rely on digital X-rays and CT scans to identify any structural abnormalities with your jaw joints and muscles. Since TMJ pain can mimic other medical conditions, we take a comprehensive diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis. 

If you have been battling unexplained headaches and jaw pain, a TMD diagnosis should come as a reprieve. TMJ pain is treatable without invasive procedures and lifelong medications. Dr. Sutton uses a custom-fitted appliance to treat TMJ pain. This oral device fits comfortably over your teeth, allowing your jaw muscles and joints to relax and heal over time. 

When your jaw joints malfunction, the surrounding muscles overwork to compensate. This causes muscle tension, and sometimes, you may grind and clench your teeth. Over time, the muscles and teeth wear out. A dental splint absorbs this teeth-grinding pressure to give your muscles rest. 

There is never a one-size-fits-all solution for TMJ pain. The TMJ is a complex structure, and the causes of TMJ disorders can vary widely from one person to another. Because of this, a treatment that works wonders for one patient might be ineffective for another. Besides oral appliance therapy, the dentist may recommend orthodontics, jaw rehabilitation, anti-inflammatory medications, and other therapies to manage your condition. We’ll walk with you until we find a treatment that works for you.