Trauma to your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) can be painful and disruptive, impacting your ability to speak, eat, and even sleep. Whether you’ve injured your TMJ for the first time or re-injured it, prompt treatment is essential to prevent further complications. Dr. James Green and Dr. Dustin Van Tassell are experts TMJ dentists in Wichita Falls. With their decades of experience, they have successfully treated numerous patients with TMJ injuries, helping them find relief from this often debilitating condition.
What is TMJ Trauma?
The Temporomandibular Joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. It is located on either side of the face, just below the ears. This joint allows your jaw to move in three directions—up and down, side to side, and front to back—making it essential for talking, chewing, and other jaw functions.
Because of its pivotal role in jaw movement, injury to the TMJ can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, not only in the jaw but also throughout the head, neck, and upper back.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder After Trauma
If you’ve injured or re-injured your TMJ, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain or tightness
- Locking of the jaw (either in the open or closed position)
- Facial pain
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
- Ear pain or a sensation of ear fullness
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Upper back pain
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Teeth grinding or worn teeth
These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and affect your quality of life. If you’re experiencing any combination of these signs, scheduling an evaluation with a TMJ dentist is crucial.
Taking Action: Scheduling Your TMJ Evaluation
We understand how TMJ injuries can disrupt your daily routine. That’s why scheduling a TMJ evaluation is your first step toward relief. Our dentists are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, and early intervention can help prevent symptoms from worsening over time.
The longer you delay seeking care, the more likely your symptoms will persist or even intensify. Some TMJ treatments can provide immediate relief, so don’t hesitate to contact our Wichita Falls office for an appointment.
What to Expect During Your TMJ Exam
When you arrive for your TMJ evaluation, our compassionate front desk team will greet you and assist you with any necessary paperwork. We collect detailed information about your medical and dental history to ensure we fully understand your condition. You’ll be able to share information about your injury and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
The Comprehensive TMJ Examination
An accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. TMJ disorders can present in different forms, and we need to determine the specific type of TMJ issue you have to create a personalized treatment plan.
During your exam, our TMJ dentist will:
- Gently palpate your face and jaw to evaluate the condition of your TMJ and surrounding muscles.
- Use advanced diagnostic technology to assess your jaw function and the severity of your injury.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
We use the K-7 system, an advanced diagnostic tool that provides precise, repeatable measurements of your jaw’s movement and the health of your TMJ. The K-7 system utilizes three cutting-edge tools to evaluate your condition:
- Electrosonography: Records the sounds of your joints as you open and close your mouth, allowing us to detect any abnormalities or damage within the TMJ.
- Electromyography: Measures the tension and relaxation of your jaw muscles, helping us identify areas of strain or imbalance.
- Digital Jaw Tracking: Analyzes your jaw’s motion to detect irregularities contributing to your pain.
In some cases, additional imaging may be required. We may recommend panoramic X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI to gain a more detailed view of the trauma affecting your jaw.
Personalized TMJ Treatment Plan
After gathering all the necessary data, we’ll create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific TMJ injury and symptoms. During this process, we’ll sit down with you to discuss the results of your evaluation, explain your treatment options, and answer any questions you may have.
Non-invasive TMJ Treatment Options
At Star Image Dentistry, we take a conservative approach to TMJ treatment. We focus on non-invasive methods to alleviate your pain and restore proper jaw function whenever possible. Some of the treatment options we may recommend include:
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation): This therapy uses low-level electrical currents to relax the jaw muscles, reducing pain and tension.
- Behavior Modification: Adjusting certain habits—like clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth—can reduce strain on your TMJ and prevent further injury.
- Sleeping Position Adjustments: Changing how you sleep can alleviate pressure on your TMJ, promoting healing and reducing discomfort.
- Oral Appliances: Custom-designed mouthguards or splints can relieve stress on the TMJ by repositioning the jaw and preventing teeth grinding.
TMJ Surgery: A Last Resort
In severe cases where non-invasive treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be considered. However, TMJ surgery is a last resort, and we always exhaust all other treatment options before recommending surgical intervention.
Why Early Treatment is Crucial
Prompt TMJ treatment is essential to avoid further complications. If left untreated, TMJ injuries can lead to chronic pain, decreased jaw mobility, and even permanent damage to the joint. Early diagnosis and intervention can help prevent these long-term effects and provide quicker relief from symptoms.
Contact Our Wichita Falls Dentists for TMJ Relief
If you’ve injured or re-injured your TMJ, don’t wait to seek help. Call our dentists in Wichita Falls, TX, at 940-322-2252 to find relief from your symptoms and prevent further damage.