TMJ Treatment – Kittanning
How We Stop Your Jaw & Head Pain
Do you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or headaches? Does your jaw constantly pop, click, or even stick when you try to open or close it? If you answered yes, you may be experiencing something called temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). This refers to strained or injured jaw joints, called the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Just like any joint in the body, it can often be a source of pain. Fortunately, Dr. Voller can diagnose and treat the condition through TMJ treatment in our Kittanning, PA dental office. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms we mentioned earlier, don’t hesitate to start treatment and call us today.
Why Choose Voller Dentistry, PC for TMJ Treatment?
- State-of-the-Art TENS Treatment
- Fast Relief with BOTOX
- Dentist with 40+ Years of Experience
What Is TMJ Disorder?
The TMJ joint typically move with a smooth, sliding motion thanks to the cartilage it is lined with. However, stress of a misaligned bite can cause dysfunction of these joints, exposing nerve endings and resulting in pain. This is what is called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The TMJ is highly sensitive to overall physical, emotional, and psychological stress. Just a little bit of extra pressure or a minor change in your bite can bring your TMJ out of balance.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
There are several different symptoms one can experience when they have TMD. Here are some of the most notable:
- Headaches: TMD is one of the most undiagnosed causes of frequent headaches and migraines. When the jaw muscles become tense, strained, and overworked, the nearby muscles in your head can be affected.
- Ear Pain & Tinnitus: Since the TMJ is so close to the ears, TMD can easily lead to ear pain. TMD can also cause some to experience “tinnitus” or a constant tone/ringing of the years.
- Face/Jaw Pain: Jaw stiffness and pain are the most common symptoms of TMD. It can be uncomfortable to chew, and lockjaw can occur when attempting to open or close the mouth. You may experience a constant, dull ache or flashes of sharp pain.
- Bruxism: Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, can be caused by daily stress, a misaligned bite, or TMD. It usually happens during the night while sleeping, resulting in the wearing of tooth enamel.
Types of TMJ Treatment
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment
Your occlusion refers to how your teeth fit together. For your jaw to come together properly each tooth needs to interlock with one another. Issues with the TMJ or your teeth can easily throw this off, leading to a multitude of problems. With an occlusal adjustment, Dr. Voller will use a variety of treatments to restore this delicate balance and alignment. It may involve treating your TMJ or modifying your teeth so they fit together better.
Treatment with a TENS Machine
One of the most advanced ways to address TMJ muscle pain is with a device called a Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation machine, or TENS. It delivers extremely small electronic impulses directly to the strained muscles responsible for jaw movement. This relaxes the muscles and increases blood flow to the area, flushing out harmful toxins. After less than an hour, the muscles should naturally put themselves into a more functional alignment. It is one of the most efficient ways to help relieve common TMD symptoms.
BOTOX for TMJ Treatment
BOTOX provides an extremely quick method to get relief from TMD-related problems. Dr. Voller can use a few injections to directly apply it to the muscles that are constantly clenching and tensing. This will paralyze the muscles but will still allow you to have a full range of motion with your face. The treatment itself only takes a few minutes, but the results can easily last for several months.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Is TENS Treatment for TMJ Disorder Safe?
TENS treatment is considered safe for most patients, and it provides an excellent non-invasive option for reducing the discomfort caused by a TMJ disorder. That said, there are certain situations that could potentially affect your candidacy for the treatment. Please let our team know up front if you are pregnant, suffer from epilepsy, rely on a pacemaker, or are currently experiencing some type of heart condition.
It’s worth noting that there are TENS machines available for purchase. These products use lower levels of electric frequency, so the chances of accidentally harming yourself with an at-home TENS machine are very low. Nevertheless, it is generally better to leave the treatment in the hands of a trained professional.
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take?
Naturally, since there are different forms of TMJ treatment, the timeline can vary significantly from case to case:
- Once an occlusal adjustment has been performed, it shouldn’t take too long for you to experience relief from your TMJ-related pain. The exact amount of time depends on the specific changes made to the teeth.
- Being treated with a TENS machine can often bring relief right away. Bear in mind, though, that the results likely won’t be permanent because the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder will go unaddressed.
- BOTOX injections for TMJ disorder can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. You may notice an improvement after just 1 or 2 days, but it can take as long as 7 to 10 days for the full effects to kick in. The relief provided by BOTOX injections often lasts between 3 and 6 months.
Does Occlusal Adjustment for TMJ Disorder Hurt?
An occlusal adjustment typically involves removing small amounts of enamel from your teeth so that they come together properly and don’t put too much stress on your jaw joints. While it’s understandable to be nervous about having this treatment performed, you can rest assured that our team will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
In some cases, we may use a local anesthetic to keep your mouth numb while your occlusal adjustment is being performed. In the days following the procedure, you may experience some mild soreness in your mouth; it should fade away on its own after a while.
Is TMJ Treatment Covered by Insurance?
This can be a tricky question to answer because every insurance plan is different. In some cases, coverage may only be available for certain types of TMJ treatment. On top of that, some insurance companies only offer TMJ coverage if they are required to by the state. It’s a good idea to get in touch with your insurance provider to confirm how TMJ-related procedures are handled under your current plan.
It’s worth noting that the temporomandibular joint isn’t specifically related to dentistry, but there are certain TMJ solutions that can only be provided by a dentist. As such, your TMJ-related care could potentially be covered by medical insurance or dental insurance. It often depends on what’s causing your TMJ disorder and what type of treatment you choose.