TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Treatment
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can create extreme discomfort, impacting nearly every aspect of your life. If you suffer from chronic or recurring jaw pain, stiffness, headaches, jaw tension, and difficulty chewing or opening your mouth, you may be experiencing TMJ disorder. Our board-certified physicians at Oasis ENT combine their years of experience in the treatment and diagnosis of TMJ disorder. Whether you recognize TMJ disorder symptoms or you’ve received a TMJ disorder diagnosis, our experienced team can create a personalized treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a medical condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, or the primary joint in the jaw, as well as the soft tissues surrounding the jaw. TMJ sufferers can experience jaw pain and tenderness, tension headaches, and trouble opening the mouth or chewing. There are many causes of TMJ disorder including teeth grinding (bruxism), trauma or injury to the jaw, arthritis, age-related joint degeneration, congenital issues, and general wear and tear.
Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ disorder happens when the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons are damaged or worn down. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can be categorized as a dysfunction of the jaw joint, a dysfunction of the muscles involved in chewing, or as headaches stemming from TMJ disorder. The most prevalent causes of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Trauma or injury to the jaw, such as a broken jaw
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Congenital issues that affect the jaw
Identifying TMJ Disorder Symptoms
The biggest telltale sign of TMD is jaw pain. In addition, you may notice inflammation or swelling around the jaw and/or tenderness around the jaw. Other TMJ disorder symptoms include:
- Neck and/or shoulder tenderness or stiffness
- Facial pain
- Stiffness in the jaw and restricted range of motion
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Pain or discomfort when chewing, eating or speaking
- Tension headaches or migraines
- A popping or clicking noise when moving the jaw
- Inflammation of the gum tissue or toothaches
- Ringing in your ears
Receiving a TMJ Disorder Diagnosis
At Oasis ENT, we combine our years of expertise in diagnosing and evaluating TMJ disorder. First, we will perform a thorough physical evaluation to assess your jaw, mouth, neck and the health of the surrounding areas. In order to evaluate the range of motion of your jaw, we will have you open and close your mouth. We may palpate your face, jaw, and neck, and assess the area around your jaw joints for tenderness. Additionally, we may suggest an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI to confirm a diagnosis of TMJ disorder or to identify symptoms of another condition. Our comprehensive examination and testing will aid in crafting a personalized TMJ disorder treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your ailment.
Our TMJ Disorder Treatment Options
We will employ a variety of therapies and treatment modalities to alleviate your TMJ disorder symptoms and mitigate the likelihood of future symptoms. By combining medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications, we can tailor an appropriate solution. In extreme or rare cases. We may refer you for a surgical consultation.
- Medication: Certain anti-inflammatory pain medications can alleviate TMJ pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxers or antidepressants may also be recommended.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can relieve pain and tension in the jaw joint and surrounding soft tissues, facilitating improved jaw movement and ease in opening and closing the mouth. Additionally, physical therapy can lower the risk of future TMJ disorder symptoms.
- Lifestyle Modification: In order to help relieve your symptoms and reduce the risk of developing future symptoms, we may recommend that you make specific lifestyle changes such as: undergoing treatment for bruxism, practicing stress management techniques, changing your sleep habits or sleep position, avoiding certain types of food, improving your posture and avoiding chewing on pens, pencils, ice, gum, and other items.
- Nonsurgical Treatment: Our nonsurgical treatment options provide conservative, safe, effective, and non-invasive approaches. We may suggest mouthguards, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, trigger point injections, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
- Surgical Treatment: In extreme cases, or in cases that don’t respond to conservative treatment, we may refer you to a surgeon. Your surgeon may recommend arthrocentesis, TMJ arthroscopy, or open-joint surgery.
Why Choose Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat
At Oasis ENT, our goal is to provide outstanding ENT care in Surprise, AZ. Combining their years of diagnostic, evaluation and treatment experience within sinuses and allergies, our board-certified physicians strive to find the most effective solution for each individual patient. We will collaborate closely with you to understand your symptoms and requirements, assisting you in pursuing your health objectives so that you can lead a happier, healthier life. We specialize in treating ear disorders, nasal problems, and throat disorders. Our objective is to establish a comfortable environment where patients feel at ease receiving the treatment they require. We also aim to offer resources and educational opportunities for patients to enhance their overall health and wellness. We provide highly personalized patient treatment plans and ongoing care from a team of friendly and experienced physicians.
Schedule a TMJ Treatment Consultation
We will employ a variety of therapies and solutions to treat your TMJ disorder. If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, schedule a consultation today with our highly skilled team so we can formulate a personalized treatment plan just for you. We will evaluate your symptoms, overall health, and lifestyle to make a formal diagnosis and get you on the path to feeling your best! Contact us to schedule your initial consultation for TMJ disorder at Oasis ENT.