TMJ Treatment – Wayland, MA
Helping You Find Relief From Chronic Jaw Pain
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for the joint located on either side of your head that allows you to move your jaw. When there’s a problem with your TMJ, it can result in chronic jaw pain and hurt your quality of life in other ways as well. How can you find relief from your discomfort? In many cases, the answer is to call Wayland Dental. After learning more about your situation, Dr. Putt and the rest of our dental team can create a personalized TMJ treatment plan for you.
Why Choose Wayland Dental for TMJ Treatment?
- Customized Oral Appliances
- Knowledgeable Dental Experts
- Friendly, Compassionate Dental Team
What is TMJ Disorder?
Having a TMJ disorder means that your TMJ has become injured or overworked. The condition can have a number of possible causes. In some cases, it may be the result of a sudden blow to the jaw. It can also be linked to a misaligned bite or frequent clenching of the teeth. Sometimes the underlying cause of a TMJ disorder isn’t clear, but it is nevertheless important to have it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
How will you be able to tell if you’re suffering from a TMJ disorder? In many cases, you might notice some of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the jaw joints and/or the muscles around them.
- A clicking or popping sound that occurs when you open or close your jaw.
- Difficulty moving your mouth.
- Pain in your neck or back.
- Recurring migraines and headaches.
- A change in the way your bite is aligned.
- Ringing in your ears.
If you think you may have a TMJ disorder, please let us know as soon as possible. The sooner we can diagnose the problem, the sooner we can help you take the first steps toward relief.
Types of TMJ Treatment
Before we can move forward with your treatment, we will need to capture X-rays of your mouth and your jaw joints. This is to get a better grasp of your specific situation. After we have confirmed that you have a TMJ disorder, the next step is obvious: putting together a treatment plan. Read on for more details about the solutions we can offer to help you overcome your chronic jaw pain.
Occlusal Splint
Sometimes the problem might lie with the jaw’s current resting position putting too much pressure on your TMJ. We can address this issue with an occlusal splint, which is meant to be worn over the teeth. The splint will shift your jaw slightly forward in order to give your TMJ an opportunity to rest and heal. Additionally, an occlusal splint can serve as protection against the unconscious grinding and clenching of the teeth that might be making your TMJ disorder worse.