Find Relief from Persistent Facial & Jaw Pain
Do you suffer from chronic jaw pain and headaches? If so, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This condition can greatly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, our Wilmington and Seaford, DE, dentists, Drs. Paul E. Brown and Christopher S. Baran have extensive experience providing TMJ therapy and helping patients find relief.
They take a customized approach to treating TMJ. They will thoroughly evaluate your symptoms to get to the root cause of your pain. Then they will develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. With their expert care, you can finally be free of jaw pain and headaches. Discover how their personalized TMJ treatments can help you feel like yourself again.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are located on either side of the jaw. These joints experience pressure daily since you use them every time you chew or speak. You can develop TMD or TMJ Disorder when these muscles become stiff due to being constantly overworked.
While symptoms can vary depending on the patient, common signs include:
- Intense headaches
- Teeth grinding
- Excess stress on the jaw can damage teeth
Causes of TMJ Disorder
Several factors can cause TMJ Disorder. Most cases usually result from excessive stress being placed on your jaw. Other causes of TMJ Disorder include:
- Arthritis in the joint and jaw muscle
- Bruxism or unconsciously clenching your jaw
- Muscle or joint damage due to a previous injury
- Damaged disc within the joint muscle
- Misaligned or missing teeth
If you experience any discomfort or pain in your jaw, our dentists can get to the bottom of your TMD and provide the treatment you need. Otherwise, you’ll be at risk of developing more harmful symptoms that may require further invasive solutions.
Identifying & Diagnosing TMJ Disorder
While TMJ Disorder is a complex condition that can manifest in different ways, there are still some common signs to look out for in everyday life so that you can receive treatment. You may need to visit our dentists if you experience the following symptoms:
- Chronic pain in your oral cavity and neck
- Discomfort that’s similar to a chronic earache
- Struggling to chew food or speak without pain
- Your jaw is popping or locking in place
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
At Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, we’re highly familiar with recognizing symptoms of TMJ Disorder and will be sure to screen for it during every regular checkup. Let your dentist know if you’ve been experiencing any of the above symptoms on a routine basis.
Permanent Relief With Occlusal Splints
The most effective TMJ treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms. One common treatment is an occlusal splint. This custom-fitted oral appliance is worn over the teeth. It gently repositions the jaw to take pressure off the TMJ joints. This provides lasting relief from jaw pain and headaches. Splints also protect teeth from grinding damage.
In more severe cases, your dentist may recommend restorative dentistry treatment along with a splint. Missing teeth can cause unhealthy TMJ strain. Dental implants or bridges can restore the jaw to full function. We may even use crowns to evenly distribute pressure across the bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your TMD symptoms won’t go away on their own without proper TMJ treatment. Ignoring whatever pain you’re experiencing can lead to further complications with your jaw and require more invasive procedures. To start finding relief from your TMD, schedule a consultation with your dentist so that they can develop a proper treatment plan.
It’s important to receive TMJ therapy as soon as possible to relieve your symptoms while preventing them from worsening. Schedule an appointment with your dentist so that they’re able to conduct a full evaluation and give you the resources you need to find relief. That way, you can get back to living your life without persistent facial pain or headaches.
TMD can cause hearing loss if left untreated for too long. Your temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your head and near your ears. If there’s an issue with this area, it can cause you to develop problems with your hearing due to the proximity. The good news is that receiving TMJ therapy can help improve your ears and restore your hearing abilities.
Your dentist will determine the root cause of your TMD by evaluating your oral cavity before administering treatment. Understanding the causes of your symptoms is just as important as the treatment itself. In cases where your teeth grinding causes TMJ Disorder, your dentist may give you occlusal splints to shift your jaw into proper alignment while you sleep.
Fix Your TMJ Disorder for a Pain-Free Life
Are you dealing with frequent facial or jaw pain? Visit the dentists at Brown & Baran Family Dentistry for TMD treatment. We use occlusal splints to shift your jaw into proper alignment and provide you with lasting relief.
Call our Wilmington, DE practice at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford, DE office at (302) 536-7589 to schedule your appointment today. We serve new and returning patients living in Pike Creek, Marshallton, and Stanton, DE.
