TMJ Therapy
Overview
The temporomandibular joint is the spot where your jaw connects to your skull with a ball and socket hinge cushioned with a washer-like disc to enable smooth motion between the two. Sometimes the joint can become injured or damaged and lead to what can be a painful condition called temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ. Temporomandibular joint pain is felt when the muscles and nerves in the area are aggravated by injury to the joint itself. Pain is specifically felt when one chews and experiences a clicking, cracking, or popping of the jaw. When the condition gets worse, patients may also experience swelling on the side of the face, nerve inflammation, headaches, teeth grinding, ear canal issues, or even dislocation of the joint. TMJ is also called temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.
General and cosmetic dentist Dr. Frederick Solomon treats patients with TMJ or TMD in New York, NY. At his private practice, Tribeca Smiles, Dr. Solomon may recommend treating your pain with BOTOX® injections into the jaw or the use of an oral appliance therapy.
Best Candidates
A candidate for TMJ/TMD treatments is anyone who presents any of the above conditions. Contributing factors you may be dealing with include poor posture in the neck and upper back muscles, everyday stress causing jaw clenching, being a woman 18 – 44 years of age, being a patient with inflammatory arthritis that’s chronic, someone with jaw trauma or poorly positioned teeth, or a genetic predisposition to pain sensitivity and stress. Candidates may also feel pain when pressure is applied to the joint itself or when they chew. Each temporomandibular joint, one on each side of your head, is supposed to work together so you can perform routine mouth functions. Diagnosis is an important step prior to any treatment.
What To Expect
A part of the examination you may receive at Tribeca Smiles will include Dr. Solomon checking your joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping, or misalignment causing difficulty in opening and closing your lower jaw. There are several treatments for TMJ depending on what kind it is, how advanced it is, and your own personal conditions. "Less is more" is a rule of thumb in treating TMJ, so Dr. Solomon will first discuss if you have already tried some best practices such as eating softer foods, avoiding chewing gum and biting your nails, heat packs, and relaxation techniques. If so, he may also advise exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles, medications to relax your muscles, pain relievers, anti-anxiety drugs, or anti-inflammatories.
Recovery
Most TMJ problems resolve themselves quickly or within a few months. In rare cases, it never fully resolves. In this case, it may be a matter of learning better strategies for pain management. It is important to start with the least invasive treatments and work your way up. For example, just giving your jaw a break can do the trick. Don’t open wide for a few days, cut smaller pieces of food, eat softer foods, etc. Heat, relaxation, exercise, posture, sleep, stress are all things to pay attention to. Dr. Solomon may also recommend bite guards to reduce clenching and grinding of teeth. These can significantly help in jaw alignment and relaxation. More advanced treatments can include occlusal equilibration, orthodontics, or even surgery as a last resort.
Plan Your Procedure
If you’re unhappy with the appearance or function of your teeth for any reason, we encourage you to contact us today and schedule a consultation.
