TMJ Treatment – Upper Arlington, OH
You Don’t Have to Live with Jaw Pain
TMJ – which is short for “temporomandibular joint” – is what attaches your lower jaw to your upper jaw and makes the movements necessary for chewing and speaking possible. An injured, strained, or otherwise dysfunctional TMJ is often the source of jaw pain and a variety of other problems. As a dentist, Dr. Glamm is in a position where she can not only help diagnose a TMJ disorder but also offer a solution to stop the pain for good. Call Glamm Dentistry today to schedule a consultation to discuss options for TMJ treatment in Upper Arlington, OH.
Why Choose Glamm Dentistry for TMJ Treatment?
- Custom-Made Occlusal Splints
- Whole Health Philosophy of Care
- Kind Team That Treats You Like Family
Diagnosis & Treatment
Naturally, the first step is to determine whether or not you have a TMJ disorder in the first place. This often involves listening to and feeling your jaw while you open and close your mouth, identifying sites where discomfort is present, and taking note of your jaw’s range of motion. We’ll also likely take X-rays to examine your teeth and jaw in more detail. After confirming that you have a TMJ disorder and identifying possible contributing factors, we can start putting together a personalized treatment plan for you.
Equilibration/ Occlusal Adjustments
Sometimes a TMJ disorder is the result of your teeth not coming together properly. An uneven bite can put extra strain on the jaw joints and the tissues around them. To address the problem, we can remove small amounts of enamel from specific teeth, reshaping your bite so that the upper and lower arches come in contact with each other at all the right spots. As a result, your jaw joints will have less pressure placed on them, giving them the chance to recover.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a removable appliance made to cover all of the teeth in a single arch. There are two different ways splints can be used to treat a TMJ disorder. First, they can be used to slightly alter the jaw’s resting position to support and protect the jaw joints and the surrounding tissues. Second, they protect the teeth from bruxism (involuntary grinding and clenching at night), which is often one of the most significant risk factors for TMJ disorder.
BOTOX ® Injections
Many patients are surprised to learn that BOTOX® can be used as a way to treat TMJ pain. For this therapy, we will inject BOTOX® into your jaw as well as other areas. The muscles in these areas will relax, relieving much of the tension. Not only is this effective for reducing jaw pain, but it can also help address other symptoms of a TMJ disorder such as headaches. Be sure to ask about BOTOX® when talking to Dr. Glamm about possible TMJ treatments.