The first step towards permanent TMJ relief involves a digital examination at our Houston office. Your provider will assess your symptoms, head & neck posture and the connection between your bite and facial muscles.
TMJ specialist Houston TX are uniquely trained to identify and treat conditions like snoring, bruxism and sleep apnea that contribute to headaches. They also provide dental appliances for jaw misalignment and pain reduction.
Nonsurgical Treatments
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) includes complicated anatomical structures including muscles, ligaments, tendons, the mandible (lower jaw), teeth, nerves and blood vessels. TMJ disorder refers to a group of problems that affect these complex and delicate structures.
Many of these disorders can be successfully treated using nonsurgical therapies, such as self-care, a soft diet, rest, physical therapy, bite plate or splint and medications. These conservative methods can reduce or eliminate pain and help the TMJ return to normal function.
The neuromuscular dentists at our practice have advanced training and experience in treating TMD with a focus on healthy alignment of the jaws and bite. They use techniques such as iontophoresis, which uses an electric current to deliver pain-alleviating medications through your skin; myofunctional therapy, which trains you to support opposing muscle groups; and functional exercise that improves your range of motion and decreases stress on the joint. These nonsurgical treatments can significantly improve your symptoms and increase your comfort level.
Oral Appliance Therapy
During a TMJ exam, our team uses the K7 Neuromuscular Evaluation System to pinpoint the most relaxed, physiologic position for your jaw. Then, based on this information, Dr. devises a treatment plan that relieves your symptoms and helps you maintain a healthy bite.
TMJ discomfort often results from a misaligned bite. We use a range of orthotic devices to correct this problem, helping you experience pain relief and avoid future complications.
Oral appliances can also help you manage sleep apnea and snoring. These medical-grade mouth guards hold your tongue forward, preventing it from collapsing into the back of your throat and obstructing your airway during sleep.
If you suffer from TMJ or bruxism, visit the experienced team. We’re certified in both TMJ and dental sleep medicine, so we can provide comprehensive care for your condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist may be the key to finding a solution to your TMJ pain. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) guides jaw movement, but dysfunction can cause pain and discomfort. The therapist can help by teaching you how to reduce stress on your neck muscles and improve the alignment of your teeth and jaw.
During an initial evaluation, your physical therapist will evaluate how your TMJ moves and examine your teeth to see if they are aligned properly. He or she will also evaluate your posture and how your cervical spine, or neck, moves.
TMJ pain and dysfunction can be caused by many things. These include:
Surgery
When TMJ specialist Houston TX problems cause persistent pain, tenderness or discomfort, a visit to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is often in order. This will allow the doctor to perform a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a detailed medical history and physical examination, radiographs or, in some cases, an MRI or CT scan to determine what has caused your TMJ symptoms.
Some TMJ, migraine headache and/or oral facial pain concerns can be corrected with noninvasive treatments, while others will require surgery. It will also depend on the severity of your symptoms and how long you have been experiencing them.
Houston neuromuscular dentists use a precise diagnostic approach to help you get permanent relief. During your TMJ exam in our Uptown office, we will record a digital bite and measure the connections between your jaw posture and surrounding muscles. We will then provide you with fixed orthotics that can be adjusted on a weekly basis until your jaw is in its optimal physiologic position.
