TMJ Treatment in Conway
Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz on TMJ
Our experienced TMJ dentists are able to accurately diagnose and treat TMD.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) refers to not one, but several physical conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, and surrounding muscles. This often painful condition affects as many as 10 million Americans, and often goes misdiagnosed because of its symptoms’ similarities to other common disorders. People suffering from TMJ disorder may experience facial pain, headaches, or jaw clicking or locking. TMJ treatment focuses on finding the underlying causes of this disorder and providing tension-relieving therapies that will relieve the pain and restore full functionality. At Carolina Center for Advanced Dentistry, our experienced TMJ dentists are able to accurately diagnose and treat TMD, allowing pain to be reduced and function to be restored.
Symptoms of TMD/TMJ
TMD can be caused by a number of disorders and therefore manifest in different ways. Some common symptoms of TMD/TMJ include:
- Headaches and neck aches
- Pain in the face, jaw, or ears
- Limited jaw movement or complete lockjaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Uncomfortable bite
- Jaw clicking and popping
Because the symptoms of TMD are so varied, it can be difficult to detect, but at the first sign of any of these discomforts, you should contact us for a thorough examination.
Detecting TMD/TMJ
Proper detection and diagnosis of TMD is critical to successful treatment. Our doctors will begin by providing a thorough, hands-on examination in which the muscles of your head and neck, and the area around your TMJ will be checked for abnormalities and tension. From there, we employ the latest in dental technology to scan and assess your TMJ, enabling us to find slight abnormalities that otherwise would be undetectable.
If it is determined that your discomfort is being caused by TMD, our Conway dentists are able to choose from a number of treatment options to effectively relieve your pain, and restore full functionality to your TMJ.
Treating TMD/TMJ
Depending on the cause and severity of your particular case, TMD can either be treated, or effectively managed. Options we use to treat TMD are:
Muscle relaxation with a removable “deprogramming” appliance Mouthguards
Restoration of the bite through a combination of orthodontic or restorative procedures, and if necessary referral to an oral surgeon for combination surgical treatment
Our goal is to treat TMJ with the least invasive method possible. Understanding that no two instances of TMD are the same, we offer a variety of options and will work closely with you to make sure the treatment you receive is as simple as it is effective.
