TMJ Treatment – Washington, PA
Helping You Live Without Chronic Jaw Pain
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can become debilitating if left untreated. Waking every morning with a sore and fatigued jaw as a result of inflammation in your jaw joints can leave you feeling exhausted and desperate for help. At Dean Dental, Dr. Stacy and Dr. Jessica want to help patients suffering from TMJ disorder achieve relief from the pain. Using advanced technologies and specialized techniques, we can help you embrace a better quality of life with TMJ treatment in Washington, so don’t wait to call our dental office and schedule an appointment with us today.
Why Choose Dean Dental for TMJ Treatment?
- Laser Therapy to Curb Jaw Pain
- Patient Comfort Is Our Focus
- Sister Dentists Helping Patients for More Than a Decade
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder develops when inflammation occurs in a person’s jaw joints as a result of stress, bruxism (teeth grinding), arthritis, genetics, or a misaligned bite. It commonly causes severe pain and makes opening and closing the mouth extremely difficult. While discomfort may only be temporary for some, others may require more complex interventions, including surgery, to achieve real relief from chronic jaw pain.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
A person who is suffering from TMJ disorder may experience one or all of the symptoms listed below:
- Pain throughout the jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Painful earaches
- Difficulty chewing and biting down
- Lockjaw or clicking noises when opening the mouth
If symptoms do arise, it is better to call and schedule an appointment sooner rather than later because of the continuous damage that can occur as a result of untreated TMJ pain.
Types of TMJ Treatment
At Dean Dental, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach for our patients. Instead, we will examine your jaw joints and determine which TMJ treatment solution will best fit your needs. They may include:
Equilibrium / Occlusal Adjustments
Through this process, we will help to balance your bite by filing down the chewing surfaces of certain teeth so that there is no longer additional pressure placed on a particular area of your mouth. This can help to reduce the strain on your jaw joints and alleviate discomfort.
Laser Therapy for TMJ Pain
Using wavelengths to help relax your facial muscles, our laser therapy requires multiple treatments for effective results. Although it is not designed to be a cure for TMJ pain, it is an ideal solution for the ongoing maintenance required to ease the discomfort of chronic jaw pain.
Occlusal Appliances
Customizing an occlusal appliance will ensure that you wear an oral device that better protects your teeth and reduces stress on your jaw joints. Over time, your mouth will become accustomed to the device and eventually remain in its new location even when you no longer need the appliance.