Are you experiencing pain in your jaw? It could be a more significant issue than you think. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) refers to the jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it. Nearly 3 million Americans experience stress and pain with these joints every year. This is referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Our TMJ therapy in Birmingham can help eliminate that pain and optimize your jaw health and functionality. We have a variety of treatments to choose from, so we can find the best solution for you.
TMD Causes
TMJ can be caused by one significant event or many small ones. For example, if you’ve experienced some trauma in the neck, face, or head, it could have created or aggravated your jaw problems. However, if you’ve got some bad habits such as nail-biting, teeth grinding, or excessive gum chewing, that too could be contributing to your jaw stress. Also, misalignment of your jaw, general stress and anxiety, braces, and more can cause or aggravate your situation.
TMD Symptoms
Have you ever experienced clicking or popping sounds while you’re chewing? What about pain and discomfort when opening your mouth or just moving the jaw? If so, you might have a temporomandibular disorder. TMD can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. It can even make it difficult for you to talk or chew. The good news is that it’s a common problem and is very treatable.
TMD Treatment Options
TMJ Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can help to alleviate your pain and keep your jaw functioning correctly. We have helped many patients just like you get relief from their chronic pain.
The best treatment option for you will depend on your specific situation, needs, and wants.
You can often treat TMJ at home. For example, if your stress is causing your TMJ problems, general stress relief techniques can be practiced, such as breathing exercises and other forms of self-care. Other things that can help include mouthguards, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants.
In more extreme cases, you may need the help of a dentist. In some cases, TMJ therapy may include heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation, or other measures to help relieve pain. Our therapy sessions are specialized to encourage positive jaw movement and promote healthy bite function. We want to determine how the jaw moves when you open, close, and bite down. It should operate smoothly and symmetrically without moving to either side.
As with all of your treatments, our skilled TMD specialists will start by making sure you are comfortable. We’ll go over any questions you have and maybe perform a quick dental examination.
The therapist might then have you open and close, bite down, and move your jaw from side to side. We monitor for jaw tightness, spasms, symmetry, clicking, popping, or pain.
One of the essential parts of the TMD therapy healing process is affecting jaw muscle relaxation. The therapist may use finger pressure to help relax and release tension in your jaw and facial muscles.
We also may use modern dental equipment and techniques, including dry needling. With the help of a needle, we can treat muscle tissue, alleviate discomfort, inactivate trigger points, and restore function. The needle is quite thin, and it does not hurt to insert it into the muscle.
TMJ Relief in Birmingham
You deserve to be free from pain. Let us help you get there with our TMJ therapy. You’ll be able to chew and speak without any issues – and feel better overall.
Dr. Coburn, Dr. Sgalia, and the Birmingham Dental team are highly skilled in providing this type of care, and we can help you get back to your life without the constant pain.
If you’re experiencing pain or soreness in your jaw, contact us today to get started on our TMJ therapy.