TMJ Treatment At Meng Dentistry:
Dr. Joe Meng and Dr. Graham Meng specialize in encompassing the treatment of TMJ. TMJ problems are often caused by a combination of factors one of which may be a dental bite. As prosthodontists, our team will generally be more involved in the treatment of TMJ than other dental practices. While our team treats TMJ disorders, they are still often included with a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in this specific area in combination with your dental professional.
Unfortunately when you need to use your jaw muscles for every meal, healing and achieving relaxed muscles can be difficult. An oral examination can help determine the sources of jaw pain. Call today if you suffer from headaches, jaw pain, problems chewing, or general jaw discomfort and feel you may need TMJ treatment.
What is TMJ?
TMJ or TMD as it is also called, refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is the bone structure, muscles and connective tissues that surround the jaw and control chewing.TMJ disorders are a group of conditions associated with the pain and swelling of the joint that enables us to open and close our mouth and move it from side to side. This gives us the ability to speak, eat our food and even breathe through our mouth. There are many different factors that can result in pain related to the jaw joints and/or the muscles supporting it.
Patients experiencing TMJ symptoms may also hear clicking and popping noises in their ear, originating from the internal disk structures and inflammation of the capsule surrounding the joint (capsulitis). Certain dental problems and alignment issues can become contributing factors in the development or aggravation of TMJ disorders. If left untreated,TMJ disorders can lead to headaches, muscle pain, malocclusion and tooth damage from grinding or clenching.
Benefits Of TMJ Treatment:
FAQs:
You will first need to be formally examined and diagnosed with TMJ disorder. Once diagnosed, your dental professional will evaluate the extent of the condition and determine the course of treatment that is best for you. Usually, the initial approach includes treatments such as self-care, physical therapy and bite guards. Medications may also be used to relax the jaw or relieve pain. Patients who do not respond to these treatments may be considered for surgery or joint injections.
In some cases, such as Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Bruxism, and stress-related clenching, the symptoms are unavoidable and treatment should be sought. You can however, keep yourself out of situations where you know you can injure your jaw or joint.
Exact pricing for your treatment can only be determined after an exam with one of our highly trained and qualified dentists. No matter what your dental needs, we'll work with you to fit costs into your budget & most treatment costs can be spread over time with low monthly payments.
At Meng Dentistry we strive to help you maximize your insurance benefits & minimize your out-of-pocket costs. We offer cash discounts for payments made in full as well as simple, flexible financing options that fit YOUR budget.