Drs. Jason Campbell, Rick Farnsworth and Mitchell Grimmer provide TMJ treatments at Pro Solutions Dental Group to help improve the function and health of your jaw joints and overall oral health. We invite you to contact us at 928-776-1208 for more information about treatments for the TMJ in Prescott, Arizona, and to schedule a consultation with our talented dentists.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD) is a common term describing problems with your TM joints. These joints connect your jaw to the skull and can wear down or become stressed over time. TMJ can include experiencing pain in your TM joints, as well as the nearby areas that are involved in the movement of these joints, such as muscles and nerves.
There are many options for treating TMJ, although, in most cases, it may take some time before you are completely pain-free and your joints regain full mobility. Treatment options are determined by the severity of your condition. In many cases, your pain may subside from simple, conventional treatments. We recommend trying some of the following conservative treatments before undergoing more advanced procedures:
- Eat soft foods
- Apply ice packs to the affected areas
- Avoid intense jaw movement, such as big yawning and chewing gum
- Participate in stress-reducing techniques
- Exercise your jaw with simple, relaxing stresses
- Massage the affected areas
- Take over-the-counter pain medication
If you have tried these conventional treatments and have not seen an improvement in your condition, our dentists may recommend an oral stabilizing splint. This customized oral appliance, also often called a bite guard, can help ease pain by preventing tooth grinding or clenching, a common cause of TMJ. If your pain still persists, there are several advanced and irreversible treatments, including:
- Occlusal Equilibration: Reshaping teeth and their biting surface to align your bite.
- Surgery: This is only considered after all other treatment options have been attempted.
- Dental Implants: Like surgery, this is one of the last treatment options for TMJ.
If you have questions about whether you have TMJ and any treatment options, we invite you to call or visit our office today. We are always happy to help.