TMJ Treatment

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is an extremely painful condition that many people suffer with for years. TMJ can disrupt your sleep and cause almost constant pain and discomfort in a patient’s face, neck and jaw. The most common reasons for TMJ include an injury to the face or jaw, or a “bad bite” – a condition where the teeth are out of alignment, causing them to close together in an unnatural manner when biting down. Because TMJ can be caused by a bad bite, it can often be effectively treated by dentists who offer non-surgical TMJ treatment options. Dr. Baines is pleased to offer TMJ treatment services to his patients from throughout the Austin, TX, area.

Important Information about TMJ

Like so many conditions, TMJ will just get worse if it’s left untreated. Although the only way to know for sure whether or not you are suffering from TMJ is by receiving a diagnosis from your doctor or dentist, there are some common symptoms that may indicate TMJ, including:

• Pain or stiffness in the jaw
• Headaches on the side of your head
• Sensitivity in your teeth
• Popping or grinding noises when opening your mouth wide
• Locking of the jaw and/or limited range of motion in the jaw
• Neck pain
• Teeth grinding while asleep
• Tenderness in front of the ear
• Earaches that extend into the facial area

What You Should Know about TMJ Treatment

There are a variety of effective treatments for TMJ, depending on the severity of the condition and the level of pain experienced by the patient. Because the condition is often caused by a bad bite, Dr. Baines may recommend realigning or adjusting the teeth to fix the problem at its source. Teeth grinding at night can often by resolved with a night guard. Relaxation techniques can also be useful to ease teeth grinding. If you suffer from TMJ, Dr. Baines can recommend which treatment options are best for you.