TMJ Treatment in North Little Rock, AR
The temporomandibular joint is what connects the jaw to the skull, allowing the jaw to move. Disorders of the TMJ, also known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD), can cause pain in the joint and in the surrounding muscles. TMD is often referred to as TMJ, and both terms are recognized in dental medicine when discussing disorders that cause pain in this area.
TMJ can happen to people for various reasons, but the cause is often difficult to determine. Whatever the cause of the problem, getting treatment is important for ensuring good quality of life for the patient. Pain from TMJ is often temporary, and can be relieved through a variety of treatments. Surgery is rarely needed and is usually administered as a last resort.
If you’re a patient who needs TMJ treatment in North Little Rock, AR, the dental professionals at Mounts Dental Care can help. We offer treatment for TMJ disorders and help patients manage some of the causes of TMJ.
What Is TMJ?
TMJ is a temporomandibular joint disorder that connects the jaw to the head. TMJ is primarily characterized by pain in the joint and in the muscles around the joint, but since different things can cause TMJ and the exact cause is sometimes difficult to determine, treatment of the discomfort that people experience isn’t always the same.
If you have pain in the temporomandibular joint, there may be many causes. Working with a dental professional from Mounts Dental Care can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of TMJ
Symptoms of TMJ can vary depending on the cause of the disorder. Below are some of the signs that you have TMD/TMJ.
- Pain in the jaw or face
- Tenderness in the area where your jaw and skull connect to one another
- Stiffness in the jaw
- Pain and difficulty while chewing
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Pain around the ear or inside the ear
- Pain in the face, especially in the area where the jaw connects with the skull
- Locking of the joint
- Migraines
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- A change in the way your teeth fit together
If you have TMJ, you may notice your jaw making a clicking noise when you open your mouth, when you talk, or when you chew. This clicking sound is not by itself a problem. Most patients only seek treatment for TMJ if they have pain associated with the clicking noise and not the clicking noise on its own.
TMJ Causes
Many things can cause TMJ. For some patients, TMJ may be caused by a combination of several things happening at once. Some examples of the type of reasons that a person may experience TMJ include:
- Jaw injury. A person who dislocates their jaw or who breaks their jaw in an accident may experience TMJ following the healing process.
- Arthritis. The jaw is a joint that can experience arthritis like other joints. Arthritis can lead to TMJ for some people.
- Bruxism. Bruxism is a condition that can lead to teeth grinding at night while sleeping or even during the day while awake. Bruxism can cause various dental problems, including TMD and broken or damaged tooth enamel.
- Stress. For some people, stress can lead to TMJ. This may happen because they grind their teeth or clamp their teeth closed.
- Misalignment of the jaw. If your teeth don’t fit together as they should, you could experience TMD, among other problems.
Who Is At Risk for TMJ?
You may be at risk for TMJ if you have arthritis, have broken your jaw, or if you grind your teeth at night. You may worsen your condition if you chew on gum frequently, sleep on your stomach, chew on pens or pencils as a habit, or if you frequently use your teeth as scissors.
TMJ Treatment at Mounts Dental Care
There are many things that your dentist at Mounts Dental Care can do to treat your TMJ. Some examples of the kind of treatment you can expect for this condition include:
- Medication to alleviate pain, relax your muscles, or change teeth-grinding behaviors.
- Use a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding, and also place your jaw in a position so it is less likely to engage in grinding.
- Physical therapy to make changes to the jaw joint.
- Coaching through behavioral changes. For example, if you bite pens or chew ice, then your dentist can help you find alternative behaviors and identify problematic behaviors that could be causing TMJ.
The treatment that your dentist recommends for TMJ will depend on the causes that your dentist identifies for your TMJ. Remember that it’s not always clear what is causing TMJ, so your dentist may need to recommend various solutions before settling on the right solution for your problem.
Why Patients Choose Mounts Dental Care
Patients choose Mounts Dental Care for TMJ treatment because our dental professionals are skilled and experienced in the treatment of jaw conditions. We offer excellent patient care and do our work with the professionalism that our patients expect. When you come to Mounts Dental Care for TMJ treatment, this is what you can expect from the experience:
- Streamlined, convenient scheduling process
- Modern, state-of-the-art facilities with the latest dental equipment required to treat your condition
- Appointment is efficient, and our dental professionals treat you with the utmost care
Want to find out why patients come to Mounts Dental Care? Come to our office to see for yourself.
Need TMJ Treatment? Contact Us
Do you need TMJ treatment? Your dentist in North Little Rock, AR, can help. At Mounts Dental Care, we provide TMJ treatment to patients to help them avoid the pain and discomfort from temporomandibular joint disorder. We offer a range of treatments and can help you determine the cause of your pain.
Don’t live with the discomfort associated with TMJ. With treatment, your TMJ can improve. Left alone, TMJ can become more problematic over time and may even lead to problems eating or speaking. Call today to make an appointment and meet with one of our qualified dental professionals.
