When you are struggling with jaw and facial pain, it can make concentrating and completing your daily tasks difficult. At Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, Inc., our detailed dental diagnoses help to pinpoint the source of your jaw pain and work to best correct it. Our TMJ treatment in Cleveland, OH, helps patients better combat TMJ disorder’s facial or jaw pain and tenderness. We look forward to helping you address your dental issues and improve your oral health next!
Are you searching for reliable TMJ treatment solutions to help restore your jaw function? The professional team at Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, Inc. can help you improve jaw pain and locking. Don’t hesitate to call our friendly receptionists today to book your TMJ treatment appointment or our preventive dental services in Cleveland, OH, at (440) 510-3468.
What is TMJ Dysfunction?
TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Your temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull and works with the surrounding muscles to control jaw movement. TMJ disorder refers to the clicking or grinding in your temporomandibular joint that makes it hard and painful to open and close your mouth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 10 million Americans struggle with TMJ disorder.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder regularly develops from a combination of causes. Injuring your jaw or struggling with arthritis can increase jaw dysfunction. Genetics, adult tooth misalignment, and chronic teeth grinding, which is known as Bruxism, can also sometimes lead to jaw issues. Thankfully, TMD is typically temporary and treatable by a trained dentist or doctor.
Common TMJ Symptoms
If you notice common TMJ symptoms occurring in your facial, jaw, or ear area, it’s important to seek professional help from a trusted dentist who can accurately diagnose and treat you. If symptoms aren’t treated, they may subside over time but are more likely to continue returning and causing additional issues. When you’re struggling with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, it’s common to experience typical TMJ symptoms like:
- Persistent facial or jaw pain
- Jaw locking
- Pain around the ears
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Hard time speaking or chewing
- Joint clicking
- Inflammation and facial tenderness
What Are TMJ Treatments?
While TMJ can be painful and difficult to deal with, there are dental methods to correct its bothersome symptoms. These include dental ultrasound, bite guards, heat and ice, jaw stretching exercises, and prescription medication methods. Our expert dentists can perform TMJ treatment services or help you better understand methods to try on your own from home.
Ultrasound
To first diagnose TMJ dysfunction, our dentists will feel the skin around the jaw to check for misalignment or pain and tenderness. If we suspect TMD, diagnostic ultrasound procedures are useful to provide a more detailed picture and answer if TMJ issues are actually present or if jaw pain is from another issue. MRIs and CT scans are also regularly used when checking for TMD.
Bite Guards
Bite guards are typically used at night and can help keep the jaw in place to avoid teeth grinding while you sleep. While the solution is simple, it is also effective to avoid repeatedly clenching your jaw. If you experience strong symptoms like pain and jaw locking that won’t go away, bite guards can also be worn during daily activities to combat chronic TMD symptoms.
Heat and Ice
Heat and ice work together to treat TMD pain and inflammation. First, icing your injured jaw helps to reduce swelling and control pain. Then, using heating pads on your face can augment blood flow and relax the muscles that control your jaw functions. Hot or cold compresses should be applied for around 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the most effectiveness.
Jaw Stretching Exercises
Jaw stretching exercises are often taught during a TMJ diagnosis appointment or during physical therapy. However, they are best continued at home to keep your jaw loose and functioning properly. Most TMJ exercises work by opening and closing the jaw slowly in a yawn-like position to lengthen and strengthen the jaw muscles. Some exercises involve basic tasks like looking up or side to side and putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Prescription Medications
Finally, we can prescribe medications to help control TMD pain. Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and medications that target muscle function are most useful in treating TMJ dysfunction. Seeking a professional dental diagnosis helps you access medications that aren’t always available over the counter but that can target your TMJ pain and symptoms more specifically. We can tailor your TMJ treatment plan to your specific needs.
Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, Inc. Can Help With Your TMJ Treatment in Cleveland, OH or its Surrounding Areas
At Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, Inc., our dental treatments help you maintain white, shiny, and most importantly healthy teeth and gums. However, we don’t stop at caring for the inside of your mouth. When you experience pain around your ears or jaw, we’re here to help too. After all, we understand a clicking or locking jaw is an issue no one wants to deal with for long! Our trusted TMJ treatment will defy your TMJ dysfunction and return proper movement to your jaw muscles.
Are you looking for restorative TMJ treatment in Cleveland, OH or the West Cleveland area? At Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, Inc., we put consistency of care and patient satisfaction first. We offer TMJ treatment services in Cleveland, West Cleveland, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Avon, and Avon Lake. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us for services, at (440) 510-3468.
