TMJ Therapy – Sterling Heights, MI
Saying Goodbye to Chronic Jaw Pain
Are you waking up with tenderness in your jaw or excruciating headaches? If this sounds like you, understand millions of Americans have a similar problem. Fortunately, we have a solution – TMJ Therapy from our Sterling Heights, MI dentist. Using an anterior deprogrammer, we can improve your condition and help you perform daily tasks that were once too difficult. Contact us today to find out if you are a candidate for treatment.
Why Choose Forever Young Dentistry of Sterling Heights for TMJ Therapy?
- Anterior Deprogrammer Used for Acute Cases
- Occlusal Splints Used
- Dental Insurance Welcome and Financing Available
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is at work every time you open and close your mouth, chew, laugh, and eat. But patients can suffer painful side effects when the joint is not in proper working order. Patients with TMJ issues or an inflamed TMJ often clench or grind their teeth while they sleep, have had trauma or jaw injuries, or have issues with arthritis. With any of these problems, patients often experience:
- Pain or swelling in the jaw.
- Pain while eating or opening their mouths.
- Soreness in the jaw, head, neck, and shoulders.
- Clicking, locking, or popping in their jaw.
- Ringing in the ears or numbness of the fingertips.
How To Relieve Your TMJ Pain
There is not just one cause for TMJ pain. Some of the most common sources include:
- Bruxism. Grinding your teeth causes pain because it involves putting a great deal of pressure on your TMJ. This can also happen if you have the tendency to clench your teeth, which also puts pressure on your jaw joints.
- Damage to the TMJ. If the soft cushion between the ball and socket joint in your jaw slides out of place, grinding can occur between bones, which will lead to a great deal of pain.
- Arthritis in the TMJ. If you have developed arthritis, you will feel a great deal of pain that will need to be treated as soon as possible.
- Stress. Stress can lead to health problems throughout your body. Specifically, with your TMJ, stress can cause the muscles to tighten and result in a lot of pain.
How Are TMDs Treated?
There are many ways to treat TMJ issues. At Forever Young Dentistry of Sterling Heights, we look at how your TMJ and bite work together and then determine the best course of treatment. We provide everything from night mouthguards, muscle therapy, and drug therapy to even more in-depth treatments to find out how your bite and jaw can better function together.
What is the Kois Deprogrammer?
The Kois Deprogrammer resembles a retainer and is used to help us diagnose the best spot for your bite and jaw. The appliance is made from plastic and is designed to be worn for two weeks. It should be worn at all times except when cleaning and eating. The device is called a deprogrammer because it “deprograms” the joint by placing it in the most appropriate position.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
Our goal is to help patients find long-term relief from the symptoms of TMJ disorder (TMD). To that end, we offer treatments that are designed to address the root cause of this condition. If you comply with our treatment instructions, there is a good chance that you can enjoy long-lasting freedom from TMD.
Of course, there is always the chance that TMD can recur. Stressful life circumstances, changes in your dental health, arthritis, facial trauma, and other factors could cause flare-ups. If that happens to you, do not hesitate to visit us so we can advise you on your next steps.
Can TMJ Be Fixed with Braces?
In some cases, a misaligned bite is to blame for TMJ problems. Braces or clear aligners are often able to bring the teeth and jaws into better alignment, which has the potential to provide long-term relief from TMD symptoms.
If we believe you could benefit from this approach to TMJ treatment in Sterling Heights, we can evaluate you to see if you are a candidate for clear aligners. Otherwise, we may refer you to a specialist who can provide traditional metal braces.
Is TMJ Treatment Safe?
Generally speaking, yes! Most forms of TMJ treatment are non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical, so they come with a very low level of risk.
Of course, no treatment is completely risk-free. We can discuss the pros and cons of the treatment we propose for you. Feel free to ask questions, and we will do our best to answer them honestly and straightforwardly. We want you to feel confident about moving forward with addressing your TMD!
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take?
Some patients start to notice relief within days of using a deprogrammer or another appliance that is designed to address TMD symptoms. However, optimal results may take longer.
Some TMJ treatments, such as the use of pain medication to manage symptoms, can provide quick relief. Although these approaches do not address the root cause of the disorder, they can be a valuable provision to help you function until a more permanent solution goes into effect.
Can TMJ Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes! In fact, surgery is viewed as a last resort for individuals with TMD. The vast majority of patients respond well to non-invasive options.
However, if your case is particularly severe or complex, you might need to consider undergoing surgery. Our team may refer you to a trustworthy local specialist who can evaluate your case and determine if a surgical procedure would be a wise choice. Although surgery comes with greater risks than non-invasive therapies, it can be very effective for some patients.