TMJ disorders are caused by inflamed jaw joints. They produce a wide range of symptoms including jaw pain, clicking or popping of the jaw, tension headaches, earaches, facial swelling, and more. These symptoms can have a huge impact on patients suffering from this disorder. This is why we are happy to provide TMJ treatment options to patients in need of specialized care. We will do our best to help you manage your symptoms and prevent future pain or discomfort.
TMJ Treatment in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Khanna is an experienced restorative dentist that can help you address complex dental concerns such as TMJ disorders. The symptoms of TMJ disorders can have debilitating effects on patients. Our dental care team will do our best to find the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder and treat it effectively. The following are answers to commonly asked questions regarding TMJ disorders.
Why do I have a TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorders occur for many different reasons. Many patients develop TMJ disorders after years of leaving their teeth grinding untreated. Additionally, TMJ disorders may occur if you have missing teeth or misaligned teeth. Patients who clench their jaw together under stress are also likely to experience the signs and symptoms of a TMJ disorder.
What are my treatment options for TMJ?
This will depend on the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder. Every patient is different and thus will require different treatment options. You may need to correct your bite pattern using restorative dentistry solutions. Otherwise, we will recommend the use of oral appliance therapy to manage your jaw health and prevent unwanted pressure from inflaming your jaw joints.
My jaw hurts right now. What can I do?
There are many things you can do to attempt to relieve pressure on your jawbone. First, we recommend patients to leave reminders for themselves around their workspace to stretch and relax their jaw muscles whenever possible. This will prevent tension from building up around your jaw joints. Second, holding a cold compress to your jawbone can prevent inflammation and swelling. Finally, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication to manage your discomfort until you can see a dentist and find a long-term solution.