TMJ & TMD Treatments
The joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth are known as the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. One symptom of a disorder is upper right jaw pain when opening mouth. There is a joint located on each side of the head, anchoring the lower jaw to the rest of your skull and allowing you to speak, chew, and even swallow properly. These joints also allow you to have control over your lower jaw. For those experiencing pain when opening mouth wide, in many cases the diagnosis is TMJ.
The TMJ are ball and socket joints, with a disc between each ball and socket. This disc is necessary to cushion the pressure put on the joint while still allowing the joint to open, rotate, and move. Any issue that inhibits these muscles, ligaments, bones, and discs from working correctly may result in a painful TMJ disorder, most of which fall under the umbrella of problems known as TMD – temporomandibular joint disorder. This disorder is one which can resolve itself over the course of a few days or weeks if the severity is not extreme. In some cases, TMJ needs a specialized treatment plan, and in the more serious cases, surgery is the best option to resolve the issue. All of our tmj surgeons colorado springs are highly trained and experienced.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a SMILE, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Common Causes of TMD
Below are a few common issues that may arise with your temporomandibular joint:
- Dislocation of the joint
- Physical injury to the joint
- Arthritis
- Misalignment of the jaw or teeth
- Bruxism, which is the grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep
Before treatment can be completed your specific TMD will need to be diagnosed. The muscles and joints will be checked for tenderness, swelling, or popping or clicking noises when the jaw opens or shuts
Treatments for tmd
Depending on your symptoms, any of the following treatments may be recommended:
- Jaw exercises to strengthen the muscles
- Medications such as muscle relazants, anti-inflammatories, or anti-anxiety drugs
- A night guard or bite plate to wear to bed in the case of bruxism
- Orthodontic treatment to realign the jaw
- Jaw surgery for more severe cases
If you’ve been experiencing pain in your jaw muscles or if you believe that you may be suffering from bruxism, please contact Balota Family Dentistry. Our Colorado Springs, Colorado dental office is here to help with all TMJ treatment needs.
bioesthetic dentistry
Bioesthetic Dentistry is a philosophy of treatment that diagnoses the cause of tooth wear and other chewing system disharmony such as TMD instead of focusing purely on the symptoms. A comprehensive and detailed investigation of your tooth positions and the way your teeth fit and work together (occlusion) and the functioning of your jaw joints (temporomandibular joint) forms the basis of your care. The objective is to restore functionality in a natural way to establish a perfect harmony between all parts of the chewing system and restore your teeth to their optimal shape and relationship – resulting in a healthy, highly functional, unworn and beautiful smile.
what is the difference between tmj syndrome and tmd?
A good dentist knows that there is a difference between the terms TMJ and TMD. Our team explains the difference as follows below.
The TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) connects your lower jaw to the skull. TMJ Syndrome can range from pain when opening and closing the jaw and jaw locking, and can result in jaw, facial, or ear tenderness.
TMD (Temporomandibular disorders) can occur when there are misaligned teeth, jaw muscles, or jaw joints.
Among other causes, the jaw can become out of alignment from teeth grinding, arthritis, jaw dislocation, or injury. When looking for a neuromuscular dentist, most are searching for how to cure temporomandibular joint disorder, and reduce or eliminate their jaw pain. We understand that after so many days, weeks, or months of pain, you want a solution that will be long lasting and safe. We also know that most patients are looking for the most non-invasive options out there, so before considering surgery, we can advise on other treatment methods.
Looking for info on neuromuscular Dentistry?
Our website provides valuable resources for those looking for information regarding neuromuscular dentistry. Perhaps you or a loved one suffers from pain when opening mouth wide. This is a clear sign you may need a jaw pain specialist. We like to keep the public informed on these types of issues, and as tmj specialist colorado, we are highly trained on the topic. The following information is here for our patients and others suffering from jaw pain when opening mouth wide, and should help answer your questions. TMJ neuromuscular dentistry is one area Balota Dentistry specializes in. Let’s start with a few general questions that clients usually ask when speaking to a jaw pain specialist.
What is neuromuscular dentistry?
Neuromuscular Dentistry is the treatment of a malaligned / misaligned jaw, also called a bad bite, or malocclusion.
A misaligned jaw can have the following negative and painful effects:
- Eating can be painful or difficult overtime
- Dental health can suffer
- Tender or sore jaw
- Jaw pain when opening mouth wide
- Upper right jaw pain when opening mouth
TDM dentistry in colorado springs
TMD dentistry is a much needed specialty at our tmd dental office. We are here to assist you with diagnosis and treatment. When finding a jaw pain specialist you can trust, it is important to consider the combined and individual experience that each team of specialists have. Our team is proud to service the Colorado Springs area and be one of the top colorado springs tmj dentist. Make an appointment now with our tmj specialist colorado.
More about our tmj surgeons Colorado springs
Though many of our colorado tmj patients are located locally, we welcome those visiting our website to gather this information and inform themselves on tmd dentistry.
Our office has several tmj specialist colorado springs, and tmj surgeons colorado springs to assist those looking for assistance with their jaw issues.
When finding a tmj specialist colorado springs, know that you are with the best of the best at Balota Dentistry.
Don’t suffer with unnecessary pain from TMD or TMJ Syndrome. Our tmj surgeons colorado springs are experienced and know how to solve your issue when surgery is needed. Many cases of TMD or TMJ can be resolved by implementing consistent care instructions, but when your care regimen does not work, the pain can become unbearable for some. Surgery is always an option here at our tmj specialist colorado springs dental practice.
For those in colorado tmj may be something they have not experienced before, or perhaps have had for a lifetime. In either scenario, we approach all of our clients on a case by case basis to confirm the syndrome or disorder. We then present our clients with several viable options to choose from that have worked successfully for patients in the past.
At our dental office in Colorado Springs tmj treatments are taken seriously. You will feel at ease with the experienced and highly knowledgeable temporomandibular joint disorder specialist that we will provide for you to speak with. When looking up how to cure temporomandibular joint disorder online, there can be a lot of misinformation. Be sure to trust only the best colorado springs tmj dentist in the area with your jaw and dental health. When it comes to choosing surgery, our experienced tmj surgeons colorado springs will take good care of you and always prioritize your health and wellness.
Balota Dentistry takes pride in serving colorado tmj patients with the best care possible at our colorado springs tmj dentist office. Having a neuromuscular dentist on your side that can provide you with not only a wealth of knowledge on the subject of tmj neuromuscular dentistry, but also make you feel at ease during your visit, is crucial. Tmd dentistry is one of our specialties.
Our goal is to help those feel comfortable with discussing and addressing their tmd dental issue. Having a tmd dental issue is not uncommon, and occurs in fifteen percent of adults with the typical age range being between 20 and 40. When you work with our Colorado Springs tmj team, you will know instantly that you are working with professionals who are well informed and knowledgeable within the area of tmj neuromuscular dentistry.
Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about pain when opening mouth wide? Everyone experiences slightly different symptoms, including upper right jaw pain when opening mouth, ear pain, locking jaw, and jaw pain when opening mouth wide. Your CO springs temporomandibular joint disorder specialist will guide you on the best treatment options available. They will also give you guidance on how to cure temporomandibular joint disorder. Trust in Balota Dentistry, where our patients have often called us the best tmj specialist colorado springs. Call to make your appointment and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. This highly rated neuromuscular dentist in CO is here to help. Speak to one of our temporomandibular joint disorder specialist who can provide the answers to all of your questions and make you feel at ease with an easy, step by step treatment plan that is customized to fit your needs.
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