TMJ Treatment Hays
Reclaim Your Life by Easing Chronic Jaw Pain
TMJ disorders are a common condition caused by the improper alignment of the jaw joint. Patients with TMJ disorder often experience severe migraines, pain in the jaw joint area, neck, and shoulders, and limited jaw mobility. Our dentists at Lifetime Dental Care offer TMJ treatment in Hays to help relieve your discomfort and improve your oral health. For more information on TMJ treatments and to make your appointment, please contact our office at (785) 377-0479.
Why Choose Lifetime Dental Care for TMJ Treatment?
- Fast Pain Relief with BOTOX® Injections
- Dentist Trained in TMJ/Migraine Treatment
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging for Tailored Care
What is TMJ Disorder?
The TMJ is the paired temporomandibular joints that connect the lower jaw to the rest of the head. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joints become stressed, injured, or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result due to several different factors, such as stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck or jaw.
Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:
- Grinding, clicking, or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
- An inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn or chew
- A locked or stuck jaw
- Pain when chewing and biting
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, or ears
- Frequent headaches
How We Treat TMJ Disorder
Our dentists can help you determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment. Treatment for the TMJ will depend on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. TMD treatment may include jaw and facial relaxation exercises, lifestyle changes, restorative dental treatments, or dedicated TMJ treatments. To learn more about TMJ treatment and schedule your consultation with our dentists, we encourage you to contact us today.
Occlusal Adjustments/Equilibration
Our skilled dentists can perform occlusal adjustment by removing any interference that causes an uneven, uncomfortable bite. In most cases, we simply need to make small shaping changes in the tooth enamel (the hard, outer layer of the tooth) to achieve a more ideal bite.
As the adjustments are minor and the tooth enamel has no feeling, the procedure is very comfortable and typically does not require an anesthetic. If you are experiencing jaw pain, we encourage you to contact our office today to learn more and set up your next appointment with our team.
Occlusal Splints
If you grind your teeth as a result of your TMJ disorder, you may benefit from an occlusal splint, which is worn at night. This is a customized oral appliance that helps shift the jaw into its ideal position to relief pressure from the paired TMJ joints. It also acts to protect your teeth from grinding against each other to prevent damage.
Treatment with a TENS Machine
TENS stands for “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation,” and it’s a small device that delivers gentle electrical signals to your facial muscles and nerves to block pain signals. It also encourages the brain to release endorphins to ease pain. The treatment can be done regularly to provide timely relief.
BOTOX® Injections
Similar to TENS therapy, BOTOX also offers timely pain relief from jaw pain. By injecting BOTOX into the strained facial muscles that support the paired TMJ joints, it will help those muscles relax, providing sustained pain relief for about three months at a time.