The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull and allows it to move freely. TMD, on the other hand, is temporomandibular joint disorder, which refers to TMJ pain and other issues.
If you are looking for a TMJ doctor, contact the team at Perfect White Smiles today. We have the experience and expertise to determine the causes of TMJ, as well as the best TMJ exercises and other treatments to resolve your symptoms. If TMJ surgery is required, we’ll be happy to schedule it as soon as possible to provide you with the relief you need. In this article, we’ll explain more about our TMJ relief options.
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of TMJ, you may be on the search for a TMJ specialist near me. If you are in or near Beverly Hills, let Perfect White Smiles help.
We offer a variety of TMJ treatment Beverly Hills to address TMJ disorder and keep the pain from coming back.
The TMJ jaw joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It combines a hinge action with a sliding motion, which means the jaw can move up and down and side-to-side. The bones that make up the jaw joint are covered with cartilage and separated with a disk that keeps the movement smooth. However, if the disk has eroded or moved out if proper alignment, or if the cartilage is damaged due to conditions such as arthritis, or if the joint itself is damaged due to trauma, you may experience signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder. However, most of the time, there is no clear list of TMJ causes for this condition.
That being said, there are certain risk factors that increase your risk of developing this painful condition, including:
The most common signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
The first step in your consultation appointment with Perfect White Smiles will bean examination. The dentist will place their hands on your jaw so that they can listen and feel for popping or grinding as you open and close your mouth. This will also allow them to observe your range of motion, which means how wide you can open your mouth. Finally, they may press on areas around the jaw to find out if you are experiencing any level of pain or discomfort.
If the preliminary examination indicates that there is an issue, the dentist may also recommend additional testing including
In some cases, TMJ arthroscopy may be used to diagnose this issue. This requires the dentist to insert a thin tube into the space inside the joint, along with a camera, to look at the area and diagnose your condition.
Treatments for TMJ start with the least invasive including lifestyle changes such as using heat or cold packs, avoiding overusing the jaw joints, and stretching or massage exercises to help relax the jaw joint.
The most common and least invasive medical treatments for TMJ disorder include medications such as muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and pain relievers oranti-inflammatories. Non-medication treatments involve counseling, occlusal appliances such as TMJ nightguards or TMJ mouthguards, and physical therapy.
If none of these work, most dentists recommend moving to surgical or other medical interventions including.
If the dentist recommends surgery to treat your TMJ symptoms, make sure to discuss the benefits versus the risks. The team at Perfect White Smiles wants to make sure that you are aware of everything before making any decisions.
Phase1 of our TMJ treatment is trial and error- and it is reversible. This means that we will provide treatment designed to reduce or eliminate the symptoms you are experiencing with the least invasive method possible. We do this by using a bite split to create what we refer to as “physiological rest” of the head and neck muscles. This is accomplished by creating harmony between these two sets of muscles, as well as the TMJ jaw joint, and the bite itself.
We work backwards to create this rest by starting with the head and neck muscles with electromyography sensors and TENS units. Once these muscles are relaxed, the TMJ joint typically relaxes and the teeth no longer make contact with one another. After doing this, we create a TMJ mouth guard that will hold the jaw in this position. This is done by using dental wax to create an impression to fabricate the mouth guard. The appliance can be removable or fixed.
If you are having pain in the TMJ or other TMJ symptoms, schedule your consultation with the team at Perfect White Smiles today. We look forward to working with you to resolve your TMJ problem and provide jaw pain relief through a variety of treatment options.
We are located on North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are also available on Saturdays and Sundays for emergency treatment.
Yes, TMJ disorders can cause earaches, as well as pain in the face and neck.
Yes, most TMJ treatments are suitable for children. Typically, for all patients, we start with the least invasive treatment option- which is to rest the jaw.
TMJ disorders can cause your jaw to be misaligned, which can have an impact on your bite. However, this can be resolved with orthodontic treatment such as traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
Stress can often cause or contribute to teeth clenching and grinding, which can cause or contribute to TMJ disorders.
Some TMJ treatments are covered by insurance, while others are not. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage. If your treatment is not covered, we do offer financing options to help make the cost of your treatment more manageable.
For some patients, a mouth guard for TMJ is effective. However, this is not the best treatment for everyone. There are two types of mouthguards: stabilization splints and repositioning splints. In some cases, a TMJ nightguard is all that is needed- but if you have a severe case of TMJ, you may need a splint all the time. We will be happy to help you determine if a mouthguard may help your condition or if other intervention is necessary.
In some patients, TMJ disorders resolve without treatment within a few weeks. Others require treatment, which can take several months or years.
Yes, it is possible to treat TMJ disorders without surgical intervention with medical and dental treatments, as well as lifestyle changes.
The most common symptoms of TMJ disorder are persistent pain, earache, clicking/popping in the joint, stiffness in the joint, referred pain in the face or neck, dislocated jaw, or lockjaw.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between TMD, TMJ, and TMJD.
The term “TMJ” refers to the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint that connects the lower jaw to your skull and allows smooth movement. The term “TMD” and “TMJD”, on the other hand, refers to temporomandibular joint disorder, which is the result of damage to the TMJ that causes pain, inflammation, and discomfort.
Dr. David Frey, a Beverly Hills, CA 90210 dentist passionate about creating beautiful smiles, graduated from UCLA and the University of Pacific School of Dentistry. After serving under privileged children, he opened a cosmetic dental office servicing Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 90211, 90209, 90212 and 90213 pioneering porcelain veneers, TMJ Treatment, Periodontal Treatment, Dental implants. He now uses the latest techniques to serve patients in Beverly Hills and London. His work has been featured in media and he holds patents and authored books. He prioritises continuous learning and enjoys family, travel, and a healthy lifestyle.
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