Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects over 10% of the population. TMD is often misdiagnosed and mistreated by healthcare professionals with little to no training in the dental field. This highly complex disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint connecting the upper and lower jaw becomes misaligned or stressed. Dr. Vernon Sheen offers TMJ treatment in Annapolis, MD, to help patients find relief from painful symptoms.
TMJ Symptoms & Signs
Typical symptoms of a TMJ disorder may include tooth wear, chronic headaches, clicking or grinding noises in the TMJ joint, as well as pain or difficulty in opening or closing one’s mouth. The signs of TMJ dysfunction are different for every patient. This is why it can be hard for an untrained clinician to reach a diagnosis. TMJ symptoms also often mask themselves or are similar to those of other medical conditions. Some of the more common signs or symptoms include:
- Popping or clicking in the jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing the jaw
- Pain when chewing, eating, or opening wide
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Ringing of the ears
- Soreness or tiredness in the face or jaw
Contact Dr. Sheen if you notice these symptoms. Many patients unconsciously grind their teeth at night, so the only signs of TMJ can be morning headaches or tooth pain. Don’t ignore these signs. Call our office for a TMJ exam.
TMJ Therapy with Annapolis Dentist Dr. Sheen
Before beginning any TMJ therapy treatments, Annapolis dentist Dr. Vernon Sheen will conduct a thorough exam of your head, mouth, jaw joints, facial muscles, and teeth. TMJ disorders often overlap with other dental problems. A complete evaluation helps Dr. Sheen find the underlying causes of your TMJ and develop a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Dr. Sheen will also ask about your overall health, oral health habits, and any lifestyle habits or medical concerns. He needs this information to understand all aspects of your health and your symptoms. This will help Dr. Sheen choose the right treatment for you and ensure your long-term results.
Our goal is to pinpoint the underlying cause of your bite problem to help cure your symptoms and improve your oral health. Dr. Sheen may also notice the signs of a bite problem during routine dental exams, such as worn down, cracked, or damaged teeth.
TMJ Treatment Options
Dr. Sheen offers a wide range of TMJ therapy treatments designed to cure and correct TMJ disorder symptoms. These include custom mouthguards and restorative treatments or orthodontics to realign the bite, correct damage, and restore oral health.
TMJ Night guards
For many patients, using a night guard or oral splint can relieve painful symptoms and reduce the strain on the jaw. You wear this type of dental appliance at night to protect your teeth and take the tension off of your jaw joints. A TMJ night guard will hold the jaw in the proper position. Dr. Sheen makes custom night guards from dental impressions so they fit perfectly in your mouth and over your teeth.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dental treatments play a huge role in treating TMJ disorders. Dr. Sheen will use various restorative treatments to repair tooth damage from teeth grinding. He may also recommend restorative treatments to make sure the teeth can make proper contact.
Teeth grinding can damage your teeth or wear them down significantly. If you have tooth wear from TMJ, we may suggest dental crowns or dental bonding to fix your teeth. These treatments can also help align your bite. To learn more our restorative dentistry treatments, see Restorative Dentistry.
Orthodontic Treatment
If crooked teeth or misalignment is causing your bite dysfunction, orthodontics may be recommended. This type of treatment can straighten your smile and relieve jaw tension. An easy and discreet orthodontic treatment is Invisalign clear aligners. This teeth straightening system uses clear aligners instead of metal brackets and wires to move teeth into proper alignment. To learn more about the Invisalign process, see Invisalign.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
If you have questions about TMJ treatment, begin by reading through our frequently asked questions section. This painful dental concern can cause many issues in your everyday life. We understand seeking treatment is necessary to leading a normal life. If you have further questions about TMJ treatment or are ready to schedule your appointment, please contact us today.
Is TMJ treatment painful?
No. Treatment for TMJ disorders may sound like a complex and arduous process. In reality, it’s just a combination of thoroughly evaluating your underlying conditions and applying restorative dentistry to solve the root cause. The process can include sedation dentistry to ease your fears for those with dental anxiety.
Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Ultimately, this is up to the dental insurance provider, but dental insurance can elect to provide cost coverage for TMJ treatments. Treatments for TMJ disorders are restorative in nature, so dental insurance may deem them necessary for good basic oral health. They may offer at least some coverage for your treatment.
Can TMJ go away on its own?
Chronic TMJ won’t go away on its own. Some dental insurance providers will try to claim that it will, but they’re only there to make money. But you can do some things at home to help with TMJ symptoms before visiting the dentist. You can exercise to reduce stress, take over-the-counter pain medication, and apply a cold compress to the painful area of your face.
Can TMJ cause ear problems?
Yes, TMJ can cause ear problems. The jaw joint is close to your ears, so when the joint isn’t working properly, it can affect the area around it. People with TMJ often feel pain or pressure in their ears, even though there’s no actual ear infection. Some common ear-related symptoms include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a feeling of fullness, or even dizziness.
Can stress or anxiety worsen my TMJ symptoms?
Yes, stress and anxiety can worsen your TMJ symptoms. Stress often leads to teeth clenching or grinding, which puts excessive pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. This habit is often seen during stressful situations and can exacerbate TMJ pain and discomfort.
With all patients exhibiting signs of a TMJ disorder, we recommend treatment as well as practicing stress management techniques. This may include relaxation exercises, therapy, exercise, or any other activity that can help alleviate TMJ symptoms by reducing the underlying stress and the associated teeth-related behaviors.
What causes TMJ disorders?
Several things can contribute to a TMJ disorder like stress, anxiety, or medical problems such as arthritis. Other triggers for a TMJ disorder include lifestyle habits, such as poor posture and too much stress.
But many times we notice that a patients TMJ disorder is due to dental problems. Injury to the mouth jaw or teeth can create painful TMJ issues. Teeth grinding and a misaligned bite can also result in a TMJ disorder.
How long does it take to see improvement after starting TMJ treatment?
Patients with mild TMJ symptoms can feel better within a few days or weeks. For patients with more serious TMJ problems, it may take a few months to feel full relief. Treatments like restorative dental work or orthodontics take more time but can lead to long-term results.
What will happen if I ignore my TMJ problems?
In most cases we treat, it would be very difficult to ignore the symptoms of TMJ. A trained professional should treat this painful condition to ensure positive results. If left untreated, it can worsen and lead to further, more intense pain. TMJ pain can radiate to the neck, head, and shoulders.
Untreated TMJ can cause damage to teeth and lead to long-term dental health problems such as tooth loss. Other problems include airway obstructions, tinnitus, and joint degeneration. You can avoid serious issues if you seek early treatment.
Visit Our Annapolis Dentist Office for Experienced TMJ Treatment in Annapolis, MD
If your jaw joints are in constant pain, and you think you might have a TMJ disorder, contact our dentist in Annapolis, MD. Call (443) 482-5202 or schedule an appointment online.