What is TMJ?
The Temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull, making it possible to chew and speak. When the joint, or the muscles surrounding it, become irritated or inflamed, it can lead to Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ. While the symptoms of TMJ are typically temporary, they can feel debilitating to many sufferers.
There are many reasons you may be diagnosed with TMJ, such as arthritis, genetics, or jaw injury. In many cases, TMJ patients are also habitual teeth grinders, which causes you to clench your jaw.
Which TMJ symptoms should I look out for?
There are many TMJ symptoms that patients experience, including:
- Jaw pain
- Tender jaw
- Facial pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Lockjaw
- Jaw clicking
- Headaches
- General fatigue
When left untreated, TMJ often worsens over time, especially during times of stress and anxiety.
What are my TMJ treatment options?
Dr. Ortale offers several different TMJ treatments at his Phoenix office, depending on the severity of your unique case. These treatments and therapies include:
Night guard
Custom-fit night guards or sleep apnea devices at Kevin Ortale, DDS, PLC, are specifically designed to target teeth grinding (bruxism). A night guard molds perfectly to your smile and prevents your teeth from grinding together during sleep. This keeps your teeth from putting further stress on your jaw joints and protects your teeth from wear and tear.
Botox
A highly effective muscle relaxant, Botox relaxes your jaw and prevents it from clenching throughout the day. Not only do these therapeutic Botox injections relieve jaw pain, but they also minimize the effects of TMJ headaches, keeping your pain at bay.
Physical therapy and joint irrigation
If the above treatments do not provide relief, Dr. Ortale may recommend joint irrigation — surgery of the Temporomandibular joint — and physical therapy to alleviate pain and discomfort in your jaw.
What can I do at home to relieve TMJ pain?
At-home techniques to relieve TMJ pain include:
- Ice packs to relieve jaw joint inflammation
- Stress reduction
- Frequent jaw joint massages
- Light stretching to alleviate jaw tension
- A diet rich in soft foods
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
Dr. Ortale is determined to help his TMJ patients alleviate jaw pain and headaches. For more information about your TMJ treatment options, call Kevin Ortale, DDS, PLC, or book an appointment online today.
