Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) can cause significant discomfort and disrupt your daily life. They affect your jaw joints and jaw muscles, causing serious pain. At Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Goichi Shiotsu and Dr. Ryan Tam specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ and TMD. These conditions may lead to difficulties chewing or talking and a clicking or popping noise when your jaw moves.
Call (206) 232-3600 to schedule your FREE Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction TMJ and TMD Consultation and take the first step toward protecting your jaw and overall health.
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The temporomandibular joints, located near your jaw muscles, play a crucial role in allowing the movement of your lower jaw. When these joints or jaw muscles experience issues, it can lead to symptoms such as jaw pain, chronic facial pain, and difficulty in moving your jaw.
Our approach includes various TMJ treatments for pain relief and improving joint function. We focus on relieving pain and addressing the root causes of TMJ disorder to improve your quality of life.
What Is TMD?
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a medical condition that affects one or both jaw joints, causing pain and discomfort. Given how frequently you use your jaw joints for speaking and eating, staying pain-free is essential. TMD can make everyday activities like chewing and talking difficult due to severe jaw pain.
Fortunately, our expert specialists can offer treatments that can improve your jaw function and provide significant relief. At Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Goichi Shiotsu and Dr. Ryan Tam are committed to helping you manage and treat TMD, enhancing your quality of life.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?
Symptoms of TMD and TMJ problems may include one or more of the following indications:
- Moderate to extreme pain in your jaw joints
- Sensitivity, soreness, and tenderness in and around your jaw joint
- Your jaw joint produces a clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
- The range of your mouth opening is not as wide as it used to be
- Your jaw gets stuck, preventing you from opening or closing your mouth
- You have persistent headaches or migraines
- The muscles surrounding your jaw joints are rigid
- There's a noticeable change in your bite or the alignment of your upper and lower teeth
- Persistent discomfort in the head or neck region
If you're dealing with any of these problems, we offer a variety of treatment methods to alleviate your discomfort. Our medical professionals and dental staff are eager to help you lead a life free from pain.
Treatments for TMJ and TMD Dysfunctions
We might suggest initiating one or several therapies to begin the recovery process for your joints. Your therapy could encompass the following:
Expert Analysis
An expert analysis of your bite by our highly skilled dentists is essential. Often, discomfort in your temporomandibular joints is actually due to a misaligned jaw. At Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Goichi Shiotsu and Dr. Ryan Tam use their expertise to identify and correct these issues.
Custom Splints and Bite Guards
Should your TMD be caused by teeth grinding, clenching, or muscle spasms, a tailor-made splint or bite guard can alleviate pressure from your teeth and joints. These devices help in relieving pain, improving jaw function, and saving your teeth.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another effective TMJ treatment. We might suggest exercises, heat or cold treatments, or laser therapy to alleviate discomfort for your TMJ. Implementing changes to your diet and reducing stress can also help in managing your symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Botox
Were you aware that Botox could serve as a successful remedy for TMJ? We will inject Botox into the muscles surrounding the TMJ, which can alleviate discomfort and rigidity in your jaw. This treatment can be particularly helpful for those suffering from chronic pain.
Oral Surgery
If you have a joint TMJ injury, dental surgery can help heal the damage and relieve your TMJ disorder symptoms. Our team considers all your symptoms and overall health when suggesting TMJ therapy.
Relieving pain can be as simple as taking anti-inflammatory drugs, reducing stress, or, in rare cases, using an antidepressant. We may also suggest using relaxation techniques to ease the pressure on your jaw. At Mercer Island Dental, our goal is to help you find the most effective treatment plan to achieve long-lasting pain relief.
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Tips To Reduce TMJ or TMD Discomfort at Home
You can also find relief from TMJ symptoms through the use of well-known home remedies. The treatment for your TMJ condition is contingent on the intensity of your symptoms. If your TMJ disorder is not severe, we may recommend trying some home remedies to help ease your discomfort at home.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
You could use over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen for inflammation.
Jaw Exercises
You can perform exercises for your jaw, which could assist in alleviating pain.
Mindfulness Practice
Practicing mindfulness helps to reduce stress, which can contribute to TMJ discomfort. Also, eat easily chewed foods to minimize stress on your jaw joints.
Limit Wide Yawning
Try to limit wide yawning as it can increase TMJ discomfort.
Avoid Chewing Gum
You should not chew gum if you have TMJ pain, as it can exacerbate the symptoms.
Heating Pads and Ice Compresses
Applying heating pads or using an ice compress can help reduce discomfort.
Gentle Jaw Massage
Gently massaging your jaw may help in reducing pain.
Diagnosis Process
Our expert dentist can accurately diagnose your TMJ disorder by performing different tests based on your symptoms. We can determine the severity of your TMJ disorder by adhering to some or all of these procedures:
Dental Exam
You may need a dental examination to determine if your bite is properly aligned.
Check for Soreness
We will examine your jaw joints and muscles for any signs of discomfort.
Pressure Application
We might exert force to pinpoint areas of tenderness or discomfort.
Movement Observation
We will monitor, detect, and hear your jaw muscles' activity.
Imaging Tests
A 3D cone beam X-ray might be necessary, and in rare cases, we might need to conduct a CT scan or MRI.
If left untreated, Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can escalate. If you're experiencing discomfort in your temporal bones when you open or close your mouth, it's time to take the initial step toward a life without pain.
Causes of TMJ or TMD
Identifying signs of TMJ and TMD can be easy, but finding the exact cause of your discomfort can be difficult.
This is why you need our highly skilled dentists, such as Dr. Goichi Shiotsu and Dr. Ryan Tam, along with their team. We are highly experienced in determining the underlying cause. Here are some potential causes of TMJ dysfunction:
- Your Bite May Be Misaligned: A misaligned bite can cause stress on your jaw joints, leading to TMJ discomfort.
- Arthritis May Have Damaged Your Joint Cartilage: Arthritic conditions can wear down the cartilage in your jaw, resulting in pain and inflammation.
- You May Have Disc Erosion in Your Jaw: Erosion or displacement of the disc in your jaw joint can cause misalignment and pain.
- A Jaw Injury Could Cause TMD: Trauma or injury to your jaw can lead to temporomandibular disorders.
- You May Constantly Clench or Grind Your Teeth: Bruxism, or the habit of teeth grinding and clenching, puts significant pressure on your TMJ.
- Sometimes Stress or Anxiety May Tighten Your Facial Muscles: Stress and anxiety can cause you to unconsciously tighten the muscles in your face and jaw, exacerbating TMJ issues.
- If You Constantly Chew Gum Every Day, It Could Cause You TMJ Pain: Excessive gum chewing can strain your jaw muscles, leading to discomfort.
- Stomach Sleeping Could Lead to TMJ or TMD Pain: Adopting a sleeping posture that exerts strain on your jaw might result in TMJ discomfort.
If your TMJ hurts, see our excellent dentist right away for help. We are committed to offering you successful pain relief.
Are You Ready To Experience Relief From Pain?
Are you experiencing pain from your TMJ and TMD disorder? Call our experts immediately at Mercer Island Dental.
Click Now For Your FREE TMJ/TMD Consultation
Call us NOW at 206-232-3600, and our warm and friendly dental staff will schedule your FREE Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction TMJ and TMD Consultation. Don't wait any longer to address your TMJ issues. Take the first step towards a pain-free future by contacting us today!
