TMJ Treatment for Independence, Blue Springs and Lee's Summit MO
Dental Excellence has been providing Independence, Lee's Summit, and Blue Springs with high level dental care for over forty years. With a team of five dentists, three associate dentists, and an oral surgeon, patients can visit our office 6 days a week for a simple dental consultation or a treatment procedure for a variety of dental issues. Dental Excellence is one of the best in the area for treatments regarding gum disease, general dentistry, and even Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (or TMJ).
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, or simply known as TMJ is actually very common. As many as 40 million people may be struggling with jaw or mouth pain at any given moment, and we are happy to offer our patients with a form of in-office TMJ treatment.
What Is TMJ?
TMJ is short for the Temporomandibular Joint, and problems with the TMJ can cause Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD. While both names are for the same thing, we commonly use the name TMJ. The TMJ is what allows your mouth to easily open and close for talking, eating, and other daily activities.
Because this joint is responsible for many of the mouth’s elaborate movements, patients often feel pain if something in the jaw is damaged due to injury, as a result of other dental issues, or just overuse. The pain caused by TMJ can affect many aspects of your daily life, and fifteen percent of patients with frequent headaches can attribute the pain to issues of the TMJ.
What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ?
Patients with TMJ can feel a variety of symptoms when suffering, and should consult a dental professional before deciding on a treatment option. Here are a few of the most commonly observed symptoms of TMJ:
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Pain in your face, jaw joint, and even down into your neck and shoulders. Pain may also occur when chewing or speaking.
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Teeth that no longer seem to “fit” together.
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A jaw that “locks” or clamps shut when resting open or closed.
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Patients report a clicking, popping, or grinding noise in the jaw-bone when eating or opening and closing the mouth.
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Patientst having trouble chewing and an uneven bite.
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Tooth aches, neck aches, ear aches, and maybe even a ringing in the ears.
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Swelling on either side of the face.
What Causes TMJ?
Statistically, TMJ affects more women than men, and dental scholars are unsure of what exactly causes TMJ, but can attribute it back to an injury to the jaw bone or muscles. Dental professionals often attribute TMJ to these things:
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An injury to the jaw joint or head, like whiplash.
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Frequent teeth clenching or grinding.
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Unusual movement of the disc behind the jaw joint.
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Arthritis in the jaw joint caused by stress.
How Is TMJ Diagnosed?
There isn’t one doctor who can diagnose issues of TMJ!
Contact us if you think that you could be suffering from TMJ. Our variety of specialized dental professionals can help decide what kind of treatment would be best for you.
If you decide to come in for a consultation to see if you suffer from TMJ, one of our
dentists will check the alignment of your jaw, and they’ll look for any other issues with your bite. Once examined, we can decide what is best for you and your oral health.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Treatments for TMJ are as diverse as the cause of your joint pain, but our dental team is committed to finding a treatment option that truly works for you. Here are a few dental procedures that could help you relieve your TMJ symptoms:
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Pain relievers are an effective treatment option for mild cases of TMJ.
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Muscle relaxants often provide relief when taken a few days a week to alleviate jaw tension or clenching.
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Tricyclic antidepressants are more frequently being used to help with joint pain.
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Invisalign invisible braces are an effective treatment for some.
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Botox injections injected into the facial muscles may also help with pain.
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If your joint pain is severe enough, doctors may recommend that you undergo a dental surgery. If surgery is recommended, we will make sure you are fully aware of the risks and benefits before moving forward!
We believe that each and every one of our patients deserves a quality smile that they love for life. With a diverse team of experienced
dentists, dental assistants, and oral surgeons that have been practicing together for over forty years you’ll get quality care that can’t be beat!