Are you experiencing frequent jaw pain or having difficulty chewing? If yes, that means your joints and chewing muscles are not operating together properly, which can indicate TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we offer non-invasive and non-surgical TMJ treatment using advanced dental technology for all your jaw-related problems. Visit our practice in Scottsdale, AZ to consult with Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf for TMJ treatment. She has over 20 years of experience and can help you choose the best treatment plan customized to your needs!
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TMJ can have long-term effects on your mood and ability to accomplish everyday duties. You should seek treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:
TMJ has also been identified as one of the causes of sleep apnea. A displaced jaw joint generally causes your tongue to be in the wrong position while you sleep, restricting the airway.
Simple at-home cures can sometimes assist in relieving TMJ pain and discomfort, but in many situations, professional treatment is required.
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we have a comprehensive 3-step procedure to better assess and diagnose TMJ disorder.
Before we begin the treatment, one of our dentists will do a full oral examination to determine if you have any TMJ issues. For diagnosis, our TMJ dentist at Smile Arizona Dentistry will take X-rays of your face and jaw to search for evidence of inflammation in your temporomandibular joint. You can consult your dentist about further treatment and processes based on your results.
Our dentist may advise you to make lifestyle changes such as reducing stress or wearing a sleep guard to prevent grinding, moving to a soft food diet to avoid chewing or practicing jaw stretches. In some situations, these adjustments are sufficient to remove TMJ/TMD issues.
For minor-to-moderate TMJ issues, oral appliance treatment is frequently advised. This comprises a custom-made mouth device to prevent grinding that appears like a night guard worn at night. This oral device changes the posture of the jaws while sleeping to promote appropriate temporomandibular joint healing. For more complicated issues, we recommend other solutions like splints or botox.
Our non-invasive treatment of TMJ disorders include two procedures:
For mild TMJ problems, dental splints are the most commonly suggested treatment options. Studies have shown splints to relieve TMJ discomfort while posing a low risk of long-term negative effects. A TMJ mouthguard and a bruxism (tooth grinding) mouthguard are the two common forms of dental splints.
We also use Botox for treating TMJ/TMD, which is typically rapid, simple, and successful for TMJ issues and jaw stress. Botox injections are a non-surgical technique done in our office and do not require hospital stays. Although recovery might take up to a week, most patients can feel a difference after one or two days following their first treatment.
If you live in Scottsdale, especially surrounding areas like Mesa, Tempe, and Phoenix, and want to learn more about TMJ treatment at Smile Arizona Dentistry, call us at 480-994-5225 to schedule a consultation.
