TMJ Treatment - Bullard, TX
Relieve Chronic Jaw Pain
The jaw joint is located just in front of each ear. It is a complex joint and has many muscles controlling it. Many people experience severe pain in and around the joint for a number of reasons. The pain can be sharp right in the area of the joint, or it may feel like an earache. It can be persistent and often severe, causing headaches. People with TMJ problems may also experience muscle spasms in the neck, back, or shoulders.
A bad bite or persistent grinding or clenching of teeth can cause TMJ dysfunction. Grinding and clenching seems to be related to stress. Correcting a poor bite and reducing stress in our lives would be ideal options – however, we often need relief immediately. That’s where TMJ treatment from Dr. Tad Morgan in Bullard, TX comes in. Serving the entire Tyler, Texas area and beyond, Dr. Morgan can help alleviate your TMJ dysfunction with TMJ treatment solutions.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Basically, grinding, clenching, and a bad bite cause the muscles that control the jaw to be overworked; as a result, they become fatigued and can spasm. That is when the pain begins. TMJ dysfunction can be worsened by biting your fingernails or chewing gum as well, so try to avoid these habits if you're suffering from symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is not wise to ignore them or attempt to cope with them on your own. It can get worse without warning, and permanent damage to the joint can result, which may require surgery. The best thing to do is call our dental office immediately to be evaluated. Our team wants to get you on the road to recovery and relief.
Take a quiz to see if you have TMJ
Contact our dental office today if you’re experiencing chronic headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, or other symptoms of TMJ dysfunction like clicking or popping of the jaw. You don’t have to live in constant discomfort or pain. We happily see people from all over East Texas, including Mixon, Whitehouse, and beyond.
TruDenta®
Dr. Morgan is happy to offer the advanced, effective TruDenta system to his patients who are suffering from ongoing headaches and migraines that are caused by an improper bite and/or TMJ disorder. During your initial exam, our team will capture computerized measurements of your mouth’s balance from individual tooth to tooth, as well as any abnormalities that are occurring through muscle movement. This information will help us pinpoint concerns and resolve your condition through a personalized program that could involve electrical stimulation, light therapy, ultrasound therapy, muscle manipulation, at-home exercises, the routine use of an orthotic, and more. With TruDenta, patients can avoid complex, invasive treatment and return to their best life before they know it.
Occlusal Adjustments
It’s common for concerns with the TMJ joints to arise because of an improper bite relationship. A naturally perfect bite is actually very rare – our goal is to help you enjoy a smile where all teeth are present, functional, and free of issues like facial discomfort, sore muscles, dental wear, and other concerns. Patients with TMJ disorder may benefit from occlusal adjustment, which will involve Dr. Morgan carefully shaping certain biting surfaces of your smile in order to eliminate sensitive areas of contact and divide pressure evenly across all of your teeth. Correcting your bite may also involve the placement and rebuilding of restorative work in order to provide additional support.
Occlusal Splints
Many patients are able to achieve relief from TMJ disorder with a custom occlusal splint from our practice. This oral appliance is designed to allow your upper and lower jaw to come together properly without making tooth contact, resulting in reduced risks of muscle pain and dental damage. In the beginning stages of treatment, you’ll typically be instructed to wear the splint at all times as your bite is naturally adjusted to a more ideal position. Once this has occurred, treatment can be reduced to nightly wear and then even eliminated altogether after a period of anywhere from several weeks to multiple months of diligent use.
Disclusion Time Reduction
Disclusion Time Reduction Therapy, otherwise known as DTR, is a therapy that deals with the friction between the upper and lower back teeth and the muscles. Research has shown that reducing the amount of friction will relax the muscles of the face, which in turn reduces or eliminates the pain in the face and jaw joint (TMJ), as well as the severity of headaches.
DTR might be for you if:
- You are unable to swish with cold water due to sensitive teeth.
- You are unable to chew gum for more than 5-10 minutes without your muscles getting tired.
- You are looking for solutions that include eliminating the use of a nightguard.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (otherwise known as TMJ disorder or TMD) is a condition involving the jaw joints located in front of your ears. The joints connect the mandible (lower jaw bone) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head. Approximately 12% of the population is affected by TMD. TMD may be described as a dull, aching pain that comes and goes in the jaw joint and nearby area. TMD can also lead to chronic headaches.
Disclusion Time Reduction therapy (DTR) is a therapy using technology and precise adjustments to decrease or eliminate TMJ pain and headaches. DTR decreases the friction between upper and lower teeth and allows the muscles to relax. Otherwise, the jaw muscles are working constantly, similar to doing pull-ups all day long. Imagine what your arms would feel like after doing pull-ups constantly. This is why people have jaw, face, and neck pain with TMD.
Proper training and technology is very important to perform DTR accurately. The dentist must have a Tech Scan bite analysis system, a joint vibration analysis (JVA) and the EMG. These three pieces of technology allow the dentist to objectively diagnose and treat the issues. The dentist must also have training to properly use each piece of technology.
Dr. Morgan was one of the first 5 dentists in the United States to become certified in DTR. To become certified, a dentist must complete the didactic training, incorporate all necessary technology to perform DTR, and successfully complete the hands-on clinical training. If you are suffering from TMD/TMJ or have face pain or jaw pain, please call our office for a consultation to see if this therapy is for you.