TMJ is an oral-facial disorder involving the temporomandibular joint, which is a movable hinge that links the jawbone to the skull. When this joint is inflamed or injured, it can cause discomfort and dysfunction, which can impact many aspects of your life and health.
This condition is similar to back pain in that many people become accustomed to it and do little to address it. Do not just accept TMJ pain as normal. Jeremy J. Abbott, DDS, is a board-certified orofacial pain expert in Rockville, MD, who has the experience to assist you in successfully correcting this problem.
TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorders are fairly frequent and show themselves in a variety of ways. Any reoccurring problem with your jaw joint falls under this category.
Symptoms of TMJ
Pain in the jaw, jaw popping, clicking or locking, earaches or headaches, sensitive, tight facial muscles, and sore jaw muscles can all be symptoms of TMJ.
You may struggle with a few of these symptoms, depending on the etiology of your disease. Jeremy J. Abbott, DDS, always examines for jaw pain at frequent dental examinations to evaluate whether TMJ is present.
Causes of TMJ
The actual origin of this condition is different for each patient and pinpointing it might be difficult. The root cause is normally due to a mixture of different variables causing the problem. Some of the most common explanations of TMJ are injury to the jaw, stress-induced teeth grinding or clenching, Arthritis and overuse.
According to TMJ experts, stress, which causes clenching and grinding of teeth, is the most prevalent cause of TMJ. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding can be a chronic condition (bruxism) or a stress-related habit exacerbating pain. Pain may move to your face, head, neck, or shoulders over time. Many individuals also suffer from migraines and chronic headaches.
Sleep Apnea and TMJ
Sleep apnea can also aggravate TMJ disorder. Even though sleep apnea and TMJ issues are two completely separate illnesses, they can coexist.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it means that your airway closes while you’re sleeping, obstructing your breathing. Many people experience difficulty breathing or even cease breathing for a brief amount of time due to this restriction.
To open the airway, your body may try to solve the problem by pulling your bottom jaw forward, producing stress and strain in the joint of the jaw, eventually leading to TMJ. TMJ issues and sleep apnea are linked because of this.
TMJ Disorder Treatments
If you receive a TMJ diagnosis, there are various therapy options available to relieve your discomfort and pain. Dr. Abbott can advise treatment of TMJ in a variety of ways, including:
- Mouthguards and Oral splints
- Stretching exercises
- Gentle massage
- Corticosteroid injections
- Medication to relieve pain or inflammation
- Counseling to minimize stress
- Botox injections to help ease the muscles
Orofacial Pain Specialists Treating TMJ
TMJ dentists in Rockville specialize in orofacial discomfort. They are dentists who have completed a specialty training program in treating mouth and facial dysfunctions, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunctions and sleep apnea oral appliances.
Dr. Abbott has specialized training in orofacial discomfort and the treatment of TMJ issues, so he can find the source of your problem, diagnose it, and recommend therapies that may help or fully solve it. In our Rockville dentist clinic, he can finish most TMJ treatments.
If bruxism (teeth grinding) is the source of your TMJ, your dentist can design a bespoke dental appliance to keep your teeth from grinding. This bite guard will not only relieve TMJ symptoms but will also reduce damage to your teeth from grinding, which can lead to other dental problems. If other health concerns, such as sleep apnea, are causing your TMJ, the approach is to treat the original cause. TMJ may necessitate jaw surgery in rare circumstances.
There’s no need to suffer from TMJ pain and difficulty when Jeremy J. Abbott, DDS, your Rockville dentist, can help. Allow us to be a part of your total health and wellness, as well as providing pain and discomfort relief. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s time to get medical help.
Make an appointment with Rockville TMJ Specialist – Jeremy J. Abbott, DDS, to take the first step toward a healthier you and a better quality of life.