TMJ If you are grinding your teeth at night, you are probably also experiencing soreness and pain in your jaw as well as snoring while you sleep. Our team can help provide a treatment solution to help you get back to the quality sleep you need each night. With these symptoms, you may be suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD). These disorders are generally linked to persistent jaw pain and discomfort. Fortunately, our professionals at Osborne Dentistry are trained to treat this frustrating and often painful disorder. To do so, our staff offers a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatment methods to provide you with short and long-term relief.What Is TMD?TMD or temporomandibular disorder refers to any disorder that affects this hinge-like joint between your upper and lower jaw. This joint is vital to both speaking and eating, which explains why these disorders can be so debilitating to our patients. TMD is characterized by pain in not only the joint itself but also discomfort in the associated muscles that are responsible for controlling this joint. While the exact cause of a person's TMD is hard to determine, it is usually linked to one of several factors. Genetics plays a key role in whether or not a person will experience a TMJ disorder in their lifetime. If you have a family history of these conditions, there is an increased likelihood that you will also experience it. Another possible cause of TMD is arthritis. As with other joints, arthritis of your TMJ can manifest as jaw pain and tightness. TMD can also be a result of a traumatic injury to your face that damages this joint. Will I Need Surgery?In some cases, surgery is necessary to correct severe TMJ disorders. However, our professionals always attempt to use non-invasive treatments whenever it is practical. This often starts by providing you with prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication such as high-dose ibuprofen. Muscle relaxers like cyclobenzaprine may also be used in order to provide you with temporary and rapid relief of pain. If it is determined that your TMD is linked to bruxism or teeth grinding, we may recommend a nighttime mouthguard. These mouthguards are worn during your sleep and look similar to a sports mouthguard. They work by protecting your teeth from damage and also by repositioning your TMJ, which can provide you with relief. What Are My Treatment Options?If medicinal and non-invasive treatments are not successful, our professionals will likely recommend escalating to a surgical treatment option. Botox injections may also be suggested as the last step before scheduling a surgical procedure. If this also fails, then our team can implement one of several different treatments. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is completed through a very small incision and is very successful for many patients. The most drastic of the surgical options is open-jaw surgery. Regardless of the severity of your TMD disorder, our professionals at Osborne Dentistry can develop a treatment plan to meet your needs. If you are tired of dealing with persistent TMJ pain and are ready to schedule your appointment, you can do so by calling our office at 541-451-4300. |