TMJ Disorder Treatment in Johnston, IA

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders are a family of problems related to your jaw joints. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles do not work together correctly. It is important to note that no single treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely, and treatment takes time to become effective. Thankfully, the doctors at Furrow Family Dentistry offer several different treatment solutions that can help you achieve a healthier, more comfortable jaw.

Trouble with your jaw?

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, you may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease, or you may have a tooth positioning issue that is negatively affecting your jaw position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, a grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

• Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
• Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
• Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
• Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
• Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
• Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
• Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
• Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
• Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
• Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
• Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
• Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
• Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?

The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.

Treatment for TMJ

There are various treatment options for TMJ that Dr. Derek and Dr. Emily can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, our doctors will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care combined with professional care.

The initial goals are to relieve the muscle tension and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with heat and an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:

•  Resting your jaw
• Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
• Eating softer foods
• Gently exercising and stretching your jaw muscles
• Practicing good posture
• Physical therapy or chiropractic care may also be recommended

At Furrow Family Dentistry, our doctors will evaluate you to determine the cause of your joint disorder: stress, bite issue, sleep apnea, injury, etc. From there, they will recommend a treatment modality that fits your needs:

1. Nightguard: A custom dental nightguard is fabricated to fit over your top or bottom teeth and helps to keep your posterior teeth slightly apart during sleep. By doing so, the nightguard relaxes the jaw muscles, prevents clenching and grinding, prevents wear on your teeth, and reduces tension headaches and jaw/neck pain.
2. BOTOX: BOTOX for TMJ is a therapeutic treatment that temporarily relaxes the jaw muscles and prevents them from being overactive and overly tense. By relaxing the muscles, there will be less stress on the jaw joint, less pain and headaches, and less force being applied to the teeth. BOTOX treatment gives 24-hour relief and lasts for about 3-4 months, on average. You will need to continue getting periodic BOTOX treatments to maintain the symptom improvement that you achieve from the BOTOX.
3. Oral Sleep Appliance: Clenching and Grinding is a common sign of Sleep Apnea. Your clinicians will evaluate you for other signs/symptoms of Sleep Apnea, and if Sleep Apnea is suspected, they will recommend that you have a Sleep Study completed. If you test positive for Sleep Apnea and your sleep physician determines that you are a candidate for an Oral Sleep Appliance, then our doctors can fabricate an Oral Sleep Appliance for you. An Oral Sleep Appliance is a device that positions your lower jaw in a more anterior position while you sleep, which opens the airway and allows for proper breathing during sleep. Diagnosing and treating Sleep Apnea is very important, because untreated Sleep Apnea greatly increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.

What about bite correction or surgery?

If your TMJ disorder is the result of how your teeth fit together, you may need additional treatment, such as a bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options, such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring, are sometimes needed, but are reserved for very severe cases.