A beautiful, healthy smile is what the team here at Oral Health Associates strives to provide each and every patient. As a top Green Bay cosmetic dentist office, we offer a wide range of services from general cleaning to dental implants. We know just how important overall mouth health is, which is why we also provide TMJ treatment for those dealing with the pain and discomfort of the condition.
TMJ is an acronym used to describe the temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull on either side of the head. This joint is in motion almost constantly, helping with eating, speaking, and most other facial movements. When a patient experiences pain in the area of the temporomandibular joint, he or she may have a disorder, or TMD, that needs to be looked at by one of our TMJ dentists. TMD can be caused by a variety of factors, including inflammation, stress, and genetics. Injuries to the face can also cause the joint to not function properly, which can lead to discomfort.
While you may frequently hear the treatment referred to as TMJ, the pain the patients are receiving treatment for is actually the disorder, or TMD. The acronym TMJ refers to the joint itself that is causing the pain.
The signs and symptoms associated with TMJ Disorder (or TMD) can vary, but generally include the following:
Jaw movement can also be restricted when the temporomandibular joint is not working correctly, making it difficult or painful to open or close the mouth for everyday tasks such as eating or speaking.
Our treatment options for TMJ/TMD vary based on what we see upon examination of the area. We create a personalized treatment plan for each individual patient. Some of the common treatments that we perform for TMD include icing or heating the area to relieve inflammation and pain. We advise patients to try a soft-foods diet to decrease stress on the joint and surrounding muscles and implement stretches or exercises or use orthodontic treatment to correct problems that may be exacerbating the condition.
An examination by your local Green Bay TMJ dentists is the first step towards less pain from TMD. Call us today to schedule an appointment at 920-437-3376. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
