It may be tempting to purchase an over-the-counter solution that claims to resolve facial pain or jaw clicking. You may have heard that a chiropractor or a natural health specialist can provide TMJ treatment. However, only a dental professional is trained, is qualified, and has all of the necessary tools to determine if you need TMJ treatment; or if, on the other hand, your symptoms indicate another disorder and require a different treatment. The first specialist to call when you need TMJ treatment is Osborne Family Dental in North Canton, Ohio.
What Is TMJ?
“TMJ” is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint—or the joint of the jaw. This joint is the point at which your jawbone, or mandible, connects with the temporal bone of your skull. The TMJ allows you to open and close your mouth to talk, eat, and yawn. You can locate this joint by placing your index finger on the top of your check bone directly under your eye, and moving it horizontally toward your ear. Just before your finger touches your ear, you will feel the temporomandibular joint when you open and close your mouth. The acronym TMJ is commonly used when describing the treatment for symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
How Is TMD Diagnosed?
Dr. Osborne and his friendly staff will discuss the symptoms that you are experiencing associated with TMD. Describe, as best you can, your TMD symptoms:
- Do you experience pain? When? Only when you eat? When you awake in the morning? After a tough day at work?
- Do you experience a clicking sound or sensation? How often? Every time you chew something crunchy? Have other people commented about it?
- Is it sometimes difficult to open your mouth wide? When? How often?
- Have you experienced frequent tension headaches? Neck pain?
- Is there any swelling of your face near the joint?
- Do the symptoms occur to both TMJs or to the TMJ on just one side of your face?
They’ll also gather information about your lifestyle, stress, oral habits, and sleep patterns.
How Is TMJ Treated?
After a thorough examination and evaluation, Dr. Osborne will use all of the information that you provided and that he and his staff collected during your exam to determine the best course of TMJ treatment for your TMD. Several TMJ treatment methods are available, including:
- Anti-inflammatory or muscle-relaxant medications;
- Occlusal guard;
- Physical therapy;
- Steroid injections;
- Dental reconstruction; or
- Treatment by an oral surgeon, pathologist, or other specialist.
Nearly every case of TMD, when diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, can be treated with non-invasive or minimally invasive methods. However, TMD can become a very complex musculoskeletal condition, involving considerable pain, if left untreated. Advanced cases may be difficult to resolve successfully. Therefore, it is very important to discuss the TMD symptoms that you may be experiencing with Dr. Osborne at your next dental appointment and to follow the TMJ treatment he recommends.
Contact Osborne Family Dental
Early diagnosis and treatment of TMD is the only successful way to prevent long-term damage to the TMJ that would require complex and possibly painful interventions, such as surgery or steroid treatments. Please contact us if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with TMD. Osborne Family Dental is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive, modern, and efficient TMJ treatment for the symptoms associated with TMD.
Visit us at:
901 Schneider Street SE,
North Canton, Ohio 44720
Call: 330.499.1066
Office Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 8am - 5:30pm