TMJ/TMD Therapy – Mt. Pleasant, TX
Relief from Chronic Jaw Pain & Headaches
Are you bothered by a jaw that makes popping or clicking sounds whenever you open your mouth? Have you been getting headaches or jaw pain lately? Do you find that sometimes your mouth gets stuck whenever you try to open or close it? All of these issues may point to a problem with your jaw joint, also known as a TMJ disorder. Dr. Sikes is able to diagnose and treat this type of disorder so that you don’t have to live with the pain anymore. You can learn more about the solutions he offers by reaching out to our office today.
Why Choose Robert C. Sikes DDS for TMJ/TMD Therapy?
- Dentist with Many Years of Experience
- Custom-Made Treatments for Every Patient
- Warm & Friendly Office Atmosphere
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint”, which is the name for the joints on either side of your head that keep the lower jaw connected to the skull. The TMJs are what allow you to chew your food and speak clearly. Unfortunately, because they’re rather complex compared to other joints, they’re prone to becoming injured or strained. This can result in a TMJ disorder, which in turn leads to all kinds of symptoms that can negatively impact your quality of life.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
There are many different warning signs that you might have a TMJ disorder including:
- Chronic or Frequent Pain: Jaw pain is one of the most common consequences of a TMJ disorder. You might also experience pain in your head, neck, shoulders, or back.
- Tinnitus: Tinnitus is the term for ringing in the ears. People with TMJ disorder often experience constant tinnitus, possibly due to the pressure on the joints radiating to the ears.
- Limited Jaw Movement: If the TMJs aren’t functioning properly, you may have trouble moving your jaw, and it might occasionally get stuck in place.
- Constant Clicking Sounds: Occasional clicking sounds in the jaw joints aren’t anything to worry about, but if they happen frequently and are accompanied by the other symptoms listed above, chances are they’re linked to a TMJ disorder.
Types of TMJ Treatment
So how can TMJ disorder be treated? There may be a few different answers to that question depending on what exactly caused the problem in the first place. We need to examine your mouth and jaw first before we can suggest what steps to take to address your TMJ pain.
Occlusal Splint
In many cases, we may recommend an occlusal splint to treat a TMJ disorder. This is a customized oral appliance that can perform two important functions:
- It stops the upper and lower rows of teeth from making direct contact with each other, which helps prevent the unconscious grinding and clenching of the teeth that can make a TMJ disorder worse.
- It slightly moves the jaw to help it find a more comfortable resting place that doesn’t put as much pressure on the joints. This helps reduce your pain in the present and may even lead to permanent improvements in the long term.