TMJ Treatment in Tuckahoe, NY

Are you suffering from headaches or facial pain due to clenching or TMJ? Relief is just a phone call away at (914) 533-4200.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. It is caused by inflammation of the TMJ muscles, which attach to the bottom part of your skull and connect at the two sides of your jawbone just in front of each ear. These muscles help you speak, chew, and open or close your jaw.

TMD is an umbrella term for various painful conditions of the jaw joint. Pain can range from almost unnoticeable to constant and excruciating.

Common Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms that you may not realize are related to your oral health.

These symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • Pain or tenderness in your face, jaws, neck, shoulders, or ears when you chew or speak
  • Problems opening your mouth wide
  • Jaws that get stuck, or locked, in the open- or closed-mouth position
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
  • Migraines and headaches that are not attributed to other causes
  • Trouble chewing
  • Swelling on the side of your face

If you are experiencing one or many of these symptoms, or if you cannot open or close your jaw completely, contact our office in Tuckahoe, NY, to discuss treatment options with our dentist. To schedule a consultation for your TMJ treatment options, call us today at 914-533-4200.

Risk Factors for TMJ

Several things make a person at high risk for temporomandibular joint disorder:

  • if you’ve had an injury to the jaw area or the head and neck, such as from a heavy blow or whiplash from a car crash
  • grinding or clenching your teeth at night (bruxism)
  • arthritis in the TMJ
  • excessive stress
  • genetics

Diagnosing TMJ

If you are experiencing headaches, migraines, or jaw pain that you think may be related to teeth grinding or clenching, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Davis to receive a proper diagnosis. Dr. Davis will examine your jaw and discuss your symptoms to determine if TMJ might be the source of your pain. He may ask you to open and close your jaw to observe your range of motion and examine the areas around your face, jaw, and neck. Formal diagnosis may also require dental x-rays, a CT scan, or MRI.

Once Dr. Davis has determined that you are suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder, you have several treatment options available to relieve the pain. These options vary depending on whether your symptom is mild, moderate, or severe.

TMJ Treatment Options in Tuckahoe, NY

If you are experiencing symptoms related to TMJ, there are several treatment options to help relieve your chronic pain. Dr. Davis is highly-skilled in diagnosing and treating TMJ and can determine the best course of treatment to get you feeling better soon.

Treatments may vary depending on the kind of pain you’re experiencing.

Medications

At-home medications (either over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication) may ease the pain in mild cases.

  • Pain Relievers/NSAIDs: Over-the-counter pain relievers may be enough to treat very mild cases of TMJ.
  • Muscle Relaxers: For more severe chronic pain, your doctor may prescribe a prescription muscle relaxer to relieve pain and relax the muscles in your face and jaw.
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants: Antidepressants are typically used for depression but can also help control bruxism and sleeplessness in some cases.

Therapy

  • Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help stretch and release tension in the jaw.
  • Counseling: Especially if your pain is related to stress or stress-related teeth grinding, therapy or counseling may help treat the underlying cause of TMJ and relieve pain symptoms.
  • Oral Therapies: The most common way dentists treat TMJ is with an oral splint or mouthguard (sometimes called occlusal appliances). They are fitted to your mouth and help eliminate pain by changing your jaw’s position and balancing the jaw.
  • Injectable Therapies for TMJ: You probably associate Botox® injections with reducing forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet, but that’s not all it does. Botox works by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles and can be used as a treatment for symptoms of TMJ, including chronic headaches or migraines and bruxism (grinding and clenching). Many patients have seen significant improvements in their pain levels and tenderness in the joint areas by using Botox injections for their TMJ symptoms.

Find TMJ Relief Now by Calling Us in Tuckahoe, NY

Our dentists at Metro Dental are here to help patients find relief from TMJ pain. As a team, we’re committed to making sure you receive the best treatment that is right for your individual case. We’re happy to answer all your questions about how to treat TMJ disorder.

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