A TMJ Dentist is a dental professional who helps diagnose and treat problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull. Issues with this joint can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the jaw. They can also lead to headaches, earaches, and trouble chewing. Visiting a TMJ dentist is an important step in finding the cause of these symptoms and getting the right treatment to improve oral health and overall comfort.
A TMJ dentist specializes in the health and function of the temporomandibular joint. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this joint plays a key role in everyday activities like chewing, speaking, and yawning. When the joint is not working correctly, it can cause a condition called TMJ disorder, or TMD. This condition can result from various issues, such as grinding teeth, an injury to the jaw, arthritis, or a misaligned bite. A TMJ dentist works to identify what is causing the problem and create a treatment plan to help relieve symptoms and restore normal jaw movement.
In order to determine the most appropriate treatment to address TMD, the TMJ dentist must conduct a thorough evaluation. The dentist will ask the patient about their symptoms, including when they started and if anything makes them worse or better. It may be helpful to list this information on their phone or a sheet of paper so nothing is forgotten. This information helps the dentist understand the problem and what to look for during the evaluation.
Next, the TMJ dentist will perform a physical examination. Common signs they check for are tenderness, swelling, or any difficulty moving the joint. The dentist may ask patients to perform several movements, such as opening and closing their mouth or moving their jaws from side to side, to see how well they function. If the dentist requires more information, they may employ X-rays or other imaging diagnostic tests to get a more detailed picture of the joint and surrounding areas.
After the evaluation, the TMJ dentist will explain their findings and recommend treatment options. The treatment plan depends on the cause and severity of the TMJ disorder. For minor issues, the dentist may suggest simple changes, such as eating softer foods, practicing relaxation techniques, or performing targeted exercises to help the jaw muscles. In some cases, the dentist may create a custom mouthguard or splint to wear, which can reduce teeth grinding and take pressure off the joint.
For more severe cases, additional treatments may be necessary. These might include physical therapy to strengthen and relax the jaw muscles, medications to reduce pain or swelling, or orthodontic treatments to fix bite alignment issues. If the problem does not improve with these methods, the dentist may refer the patient to a specialist for advanced care.
Seeing a TMJ dentist can provide relief for those dealing with jaw pain, stiffness, or other symptoms of TMJ disorders. If jaw discomfort or related symptoms affect your daily life, scheduling an appointment with a TMJ dentist in the Murfreesboro area is a step toward finding solutions. Contact James R McCawley DDS to receive a care plan to improve your quality of life.
Request an appointment here: http://www.drmccawley.com or call James R McCawley DDS at (615) 526-2497 for an appointment in our Murfreesboro office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ Dentist in Murfreesboro, TN.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which often dysfunctions, resulting in serious pain. Individuals that suffer from TMJ disorder often turn to their general dentist to learn more about treatment options, as well as the root cause of the disorder. Each person varies, meaning the cause of their TMJ may differ, however, there are a…
TMJ disorder is an issue that affects many Americans each year. It leads to jaw pain, limited jaw movement and other symptoms. Dentists can diagnose, treat and prevent TMJ disorder through a variety of methods. It is helpful to understand how the diagnostic and treatment process works for TMJ to determine if you should visit…
Wondering if you have TMJ, also known as temporomandibular disorder? Whenever you are experiencing any type of dental-related problem, making an appointment with a dental professional as soon as possible is necessary. If you do not, then your dental problem will only continue to get worse until you do.Learning more about TMJ is a great…
Root canal therapy is often the final step in saving a severely damaged or infected tooth. However, in most cases, a general dentist will recommend placing a dental crown after root canal therapy to contribute to your long-term oral health. This restoration strengthens and protects the treated tooth, helping the tooth to maintain its function,…
Root canal therapy is often the final step in saving a severely damaged or infected tooth. However, in most cases, a general dentist will recommend placing a dental crown after root canal therapy to contribute to your long-term oral health. This restoration strengthens and protects the treated tooth, helping the tooth to maintain its function,…
Whether you are about to book an appointment for tooth implants or you have just undergone the procedure, you probably want to learn proper aftercare to ensure healing and recovery. One of the questions that patients often ask is what and what not to eat after surgery. Although placing implants ensures that you have dental…