Jaw clicking, soreness, or tension can compromise your comfort and keep you from chewing with natural ease. This pain often stems from TMJ/TMD, a jaw disorder that can be resolved with a variety of minimally invasive, tailored treatments. Find relief with solutions from our full-time specialist, Dr. Trisha Goldsmith. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in head, neck and facial pain.
Why Should I Get TMJ/TMD Treatment?
TMJ/TMD treatment is the best way to restore your oral range of motion, eliminate your pain, and get you back to your day-to-day routine. The pain and discomfort of TMJ/TMD can be extreme, and it can stop you from eating your favorite foods, chewing normally, or even speaking without pain and discomfort. Jaw issues like TMJ/TMD won’t get better on their own, and may even get worse over time. If you’re having jaw pain, that’s not normal. Contact us for a consultation right away. We’ll get to the bottom of the problem, give you a diagnosis, and provide the care you need for a healthy, functional, pain-free jaw.
DID YOU KNOW?
The prevalence of TMJ/TMD is between 5% and 12% in adults. That means it's the second most common type of musculoskeletal pain, behind only lower back pain.
The Benefits of TMJ/TMD Treatment
Relieve Your Pain And Discomfort
TMJ/TMD causes serious, chronic jaw pain that can interfere with your ability to work, focus on school, and live your day-to-day life. With proper treatment at our office, you can get your life back to normal.
Restore Oral Range Of Motion
TMJ/TMD can make your jaw “lock” or stiffen. This makes it hard to open and close your mouth properly, which could interfere with biting, eating, and even speaking. Treating TMJ/TMD restores your oral range of motion.
Treat Other Related Problems
TMJ/TMD is related to lots of other problems including tinnitus (ringing of the ears), teeth grinding, chronic headaches, neck and upper back stiffness, and more. With proper treatment from a qualified dentist and physical therapist, you can get relief from a variety of symptoms that may be related to TMJ/TMD.
Free Consultations
Stress-Free Care For You
We’re committed to making care affordable and accessible. Our team is here to help you finance TMJ/TMD treatment in a way that fits your lifestyle and budget.
The TMJ/TMD Treatment Process
Initial Consultation & Diagnosis
TMJ/TMD can be caused by lots of different things, from jaw overuse (like excessive gum chewing or teeth grinding) to direct trauma to the joint, and even some auto-immune problems like arthritis in the joint. So the first step is to come to our office for an appointment. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive oral exam, discuss your symptoms, and determine what’s causing your TMJ/TMD.
Developing Your Treatment Plan
Once your dentist has determined the potential causes of your issue, they will work with you to develop a custom treatment plan. This could include things like a course of physical therapy, Botox injections, oral appliance therapy (OAT) to adjust the position of your jaw during sleep, and even things like orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign.
Lifestyle Changes & Physical Therapy
Along with TMJ/TMD treatment from your dentist, certain lifestyle changes and physical therapy can help improve your oral range of motion and the symptoms of TMJ/TMD. For example, you can choose to eat softer foods for several weeks to help your jaw heal, or you may require manual therapy from a qualified physical therapist to help with your recovery. Your dentist will discuss these topics with you in detail as they develop your treatment plan.
We’re Certified!
When it comes to your jaw health, you deserve the best possible care. As an expert in facial aesthetics, your dentist is fully licensed to safely inject Botox and give you the relief you deserve.
Get Relief With Botox
Botox injections can ease jaw tension, resulting in instant relief. By relaxing your muscles, Botox helps you reduce headaches, avoid clenching, and encourages the healing of your temporomandibular joint.
Durable Nightguards
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, your doctor can prescribe a custom-made acrylic guard to keep your jaw in the proper position. Nightguards are long-lasting and require little maintenance, making them one of the most reliable TMJ/TMD treatments.
Advanced Tools for Precise Care
While traditional x-rays provide 2-dimensional images, our Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) can capture a 360 view of your jaw, joint, disc space, teeth, and mouth. This unparalleled precision allows your dentist to provide the most accurate diagnosis for your unique condition.
Goop-Free Impressions
With our advanced Intraoral Scanner, your dentist can take a non-invasive 3D scan that captures the form and structure of your mouth for custom-fit night guards. It’s a fully digital process — no putty necessary.
Before & Afters
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are TMD symptoms?
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The symptoms of TMD vary quite a bit depending on the patient. You may experience issues like:
If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist right away to get help.
What causes TMD?
TMD and TMJ pain is caused by a variety of different issues:
Because TMD and TMJ pain can be caused by so many different health issues, it’s important to see an experienced dentist when seeking care.
Can TMD go away on its own?
Some cases of mild TMD may go away on their own with lifestyle changes, such as ceasing gum chewing, de-stressing to eliminate teeth clenching, and more. However, if you suffer from the symptoms of TMD for more than a week or two, your condition may be chronic. To learn more about your specific case of TMD, it’s best to seek a qualified, experienced dentist to get the help you need.
How can I treat TMJ pain on my own?
Applying a hot compress to the area at 10-minute intervals can help with tightness and control the pain and discomfort of TMD as your jaw heals.
It’s also a good idea to take steps to decrease jaw clenching, such as exercising and de-stressing to reduce the likelihood of nighttime teeth grinding. You may also want to consider ceasing gum chewing, and eating a diet of mostly soft foods to minimize the work your jaw muscles must do while they heal.
You can also use over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen to help control pain and inflammation as your jaw heals, and you recover from TMD.
While some cases of TMD are minor and can be resolved with these simple steps and other at-home remedies, you should consider seeking help if you experience serious pain and discomfort, or if your symptoms persist for 1-2 weeks or longer.
Have more questions?
