TMD / TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) Treatment
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
TMD treatment may be recommended if one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) develops functionality issues or becomes damaged. Common symptoms of TMD include difficulty opening your jaw, jaw locking in place, a popping or clicking sound in the jaw joint, or jaw joints, muscle pain, tinnitus, headaches, and in some case, numbness of the face. TMD disorders broadly fall into one of the following three categories:
- Myogenous: The most common type of TMJ disorder (accounting for approximately 80% of all cases). This type typically presents as pain or discomfort in the jaws, temples, neck, and/or shoulders. Recommended treatment options are change in lifestyle habits, custom fit nightguards, or BOTOX.
- Degenerative joint disease: Degenerative diseases of the joints such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause TMJ issues to develop.
- Jaw joint generated pain: This disorder is caused by internal derangement, such as a dislocated jaw, injured condoyle, and/or displaced disc.
While we are able to treat some TMJ disorders, if the underlying issue is due to an internal derangement or degenerative joint disease, you may require care from a TMD specialist or physician. To learn more about TMD Treatment or other services offered at our office, please refer to the following. To schedule an appointment for a consultation for TMD Treatment, contact our Rockwall office today at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832
TMJ
Treatment Options Available
Determining the underlying reason why your TMJ disorder has developed will be essential in deciding what treatment option is best for you. If your TMJ issues are due to a crown or filling that was not placed properly, the first step in your treatment plan will be to remove and replace this filling or crown and see if your symptoms improve. If your TMJ is related to stress or lifestyle habits, you may first try doing things like meditating, practicing mindfulness, avoiding alcohol, or limiting caffeine. If none of these changes improve your TMJ issues, the following methods may be pursued. In very rare cases, replacement of the jaw joint disc or correcting your bite with numerous crowns and veneers may be performed, but in most cases, TMJ can be treated with the following methods:
- Custom Fit Nightguard: Mouth or nightguards are one of the most common and effective methods for alleviating symptoms related to TMD. Though they will not correct the underlying issue causing your TMJ issues, a nightguard will redistribute the pressure being placed on your teeth, resulting in increased sensitivity and for teeth to begin to wear down. Although there are “one-size-fits-all” store bought nightguards that can be purchased at drugstores or online, we strongly encourage getting fitted for a personalized nightguard. Doing so will significantly improve your likelihood of alleviating TMJ symptoms and will reduce your risk of developing additional complications that can occur when wearing a nightguard that is not designed to the unique characteristics of your mouth. This is especially important because, in addition to every person having slightly different dental structures, TMD can also present itself in a variety of ways, with some patients TMJ issue presenting as grinding, another as clenching, or a combination of both. Although the cost of getting a custom nightguard is slightly more expensive than purchasing one online, you will end up saving more money in the long run by investing in a personalized guard designed to fit your mouth and address your specific concerns.
- BOTOX Treatment: BOTOX is a common treatment option for alleviating TMJ pain. Injecting BOTOX into facial muscles that are too tight will make them relax, which in turn will alleviate discomfort and pain and relax clenching or grinding that occurs while sleeping. While BOTOX treatment can provide good results, to maintain these results will require scheduling treatments every three to four months.
TMJ
What Causes It?
It is not always possible to determine the specific underlying reason why TMJ issues develop, but high levels of stress, facial trauma, and arthritis are some of the most common reasons. TMD can also develop due the following reasons:
- Bruxism
- Neck injury
- Jaw injury
- Dislocated join
- Malocclusion
- Incorrectly placed crowns of fillings or crowns
- Genetic predisposition
TMD Treatment
Costs associated
The cost of TMD Treatment will largely depend on what procedures are being performed and your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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