TMJ Treatment – Las Vegas, NV
Lasting Solutions for Jaw & Head Pain
While it may not seem important, your jaw plays a key role in your quality of life. You need it to eat, speak, and smile properly, so you should pay attention to worrying signs. Jaw clicking, headaches, and more could point to a TMJ disorder – an issue that causes oral health risks. Luckily, we at iSleepSolutions offer excellent TMJ treatment at our Las Vegas office. Just keep reading to learn more, or book a consultation today!
What Is the TMJ?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two jaw joints located at the base of the ears. They act like sliding hinges, linking your mandible to your skull and letting you open and close your jaw. You usually wouldn’t even think of them when everything works as it should.
All that said, certain factors can cause the TMJ to get “out of whack.” These range from dental issues – teeth grinding, a misaligned bite, etc. – to facial trauma like blows to the face. When such problems occur, you may develop a TMJ disorder that keeps muscles, bones, and joints from working properly.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorders have signs like those of other issues, so they often remain mis-or undiagnosed for years. Learning about their symptoms will ensure you get the proper care right away. Given that fact, the most common signs to look for include:
- Nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching
- Clicking, popping jaw
- Difficulty fully opening the jaw
- Chronic jaw pain
- Sensation of lockjaw
- Ear, head, or neck pain
To truly tell if you have a TMJ disorder, please consult our office. Dr. West can perform a close assessment of your jaw. She’ll then be able to tell how your TMJ is doing.
Risk Factors of TMJ Disorder
Anyone can experience the complications of a TMJ disorder, but various factors increase your risk, such as:
- Gender – Women are significantly more likely to experience a TMJ disorder than men. Thankfully, both genders appear to respond to treatments similarly to help you get the relief you need.
- Age – Although arthritis can lead to TMJ problems, as it often occurs in older people, 18 to 44 is the most common age group to develop TMJ disorder.
- Genetics – Your family history can make TMJ disorder more likely. Those genetically predisposed to stress, inflammation, or the disorder itself have an increased risk.
- Chronic Pain – People with other conditions that cause chronic pain, such as in the lower back or migraines, are more likely to live with TMD disorders as well.
- Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, in particular, are linked to the disorder.
- Bruxism – A history of grinding or clenching your teeth is known to trigger TMJ symptoms.
- Jaw Injury – A previous injury to the face or mouth could cause damage or strain to the TMJ.
- Connective Tissue Diseases – Certain diseases with the connective tissues may affect the temporomandibular joint.
Diagnosing TMJ Disorder
Using cutting-edge technology, we at iSleepSolutions can check whether you have TMJ disorder. Dr. West only needs to examine your jaw joints and take a full health history. If we do find TMJ problems, we’ll proceed with a custom treatment plan that accounts for your needs. This process may include changes to your home habits, CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, or more. Whatever the specifics, you can trust that we’ll get your jaw back on track!
What’s the Process for Diagnosing a TMJ Disorder?
Our practice follows several steps to diagnose a TMJ disorder. For starters, Dr. West will carefully assess your complete health history for signs of TMJ damage (injuries, trauma, etc.). She’ll then check the TMJ itself (as well as nearby bones and jaw muscles) for pain and tenderness, which would point to a problem. We may ask you to move your jaw for this latter step, letting us see if it becomes locked or limited in motion. You should also tell us if you notice unusual noises when you open or close your jaw.
There are a few different tests we might use to help our diagnosis. We may take X-rays of the face, joint, and teeth, or we could examine the disc of the jaw joint itself with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Sometimes, a CT (computed tomography) scan might be required to give us a more detailed view of the bones. Depending on your situation, we may or may not need to use all of these tests to narrow down your specific issues.
What Happens If We Find a TMJ Disorder?
While a diagnosis of TMJ disorder may seem scary, you could see it as a good thing. This finding means we’ve narrowed down your pain’s source and can explore different relief methods. If you have a mild case, we may be able to treat your symptoms with self-care and lifestyle changes (ice packs, pain medicine, jaw stretches, etc.) A more severe one will require professional help, often through procedures like oral appliance therapy or surgical TMJ treatments.
Types of TMJ Treatment
Based on your consultation results, we’ll suggest some suitable treatment options. The most common of these are:
Oral Appliance Therapy
Professional treatment for TMJ/TMD may include a customized oral appliance worn while you sleep. With this device, you could prevent nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching. The appliance can even come in several varieties, though it'll usually work by aligning your jaw or cushioning the teeth. Regardless, treatment would take stress off the TMJ and should reduce your symptoms.
Surgical TMJ Treatments
In the most severe cases of TMJ/TMD, the only option may be surgical treatment. This is often the last resort after oral appliance therapy has proven to be ineffective. Some of the methods that may be used include:
- Arthrocentesis – Injecting steroids directly into the TMJ (the least invasive option)
- Arthroscopy – Surgically inserting a camera into the TMJ to aid in diagnosing the problem and identifying a proper treatment
- Open-joint surgery – Opening the region to get a full view of the TMJ
Learn More About Surgical TMJ Treatments
Self-Care for TMD
Patients who deal with only mild symptoms of TMJ may be able to get past or at least manage their jaw pain with just a few lifestyle changes. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding are frequently the result of chronic stress or anxiety, so trying to relax, talking to a therapist, or adopting vigorous exercise can reduce jaw pain naturally.
Some of our tips for handling TMJ on your own include:
- Apply a cold/hot pack to the joint in 15-minute intervals when you are experiencing pain
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine as directed
- Eat softer foods and take small bites when you are in the middle of jaw pain
- Perform certain facial or jaw stretches (Dr. West can provide tips during a consultation)
- Take note of when you hold tension in the jaw and make a conscious effort to relax it throughout the day
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Is TMJ Treatment Expensive?
Contrary to what you might have heard, TMJ therapy is affordable for all budgets. Every mouth and situation differs, so there's no flat fee for TMJ treatment. Many factors affect the cost because every treatment plan is unique. After examining your mouth and oral structures, Dr. West will create the personalized strategy you need to improve your jaw's functions. A member of our office will review your estimate and payment options to keep TMJ therapy within your budget, like a monthly payment plan using a third-party financing company, such as CareCredit. You can also use your insurance to partially cover the cost. You can overcome your jaw pain and restore your quality of life without it draining your bank account.
Can TMJ Be Treated Without Surgery?
Dr. West strives to take a conservative approach when treating TMD using nonsurgical solutions, like stress-relieving exercises, an oral appliance, or braces. She only recommends surgery when other methods have failed to provide improvement or if there's a defect in the joint.
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
It isn't unusual to experience occasional TMJ flares, while it can be a persistent issue for others. Learning to identify your triggers can help manage the disorder to reduce the occurrence of your symptoms. Depending on the underlying cause, TMD can be resolved for good with the right treatment, like fixing a misaligned bite. When combined with changes at home, you can enjoy lasting relief from jaw pain.
Can TMJ Be Fixed with Braces?
A misaligned bite can lead to a TMJ disorder. If the upper and lower teeth don't align correctly, it can cause uneven pressure distribution, which can strain the jaw. If the jaw rests in an unnatural position, recurring pain or mobility issues are common complications. Orthodontics can fix TMJ disorders caused by a poorly aligned bite. Whether metal braces or clear aligners, moving your teeth can ensure harmony between the upper and lower arches to take pressure off your joints and improve your jaw's functions.
How Long Does TMJ Therapy Take?
Every case differs depending on the treatment used. Many patients see an improvement within a few weeks. However, it can take several months to finish your treatment. Your symptoms will gradually get better as time passes. Dr. West will discuss how long you can expect your treatment to take and explain what you can do to prevent any delays, like wearing your oral appliance nightly or eating soft foods.