TMJ Treatment In South Florida

What Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, known as TMJ and sometimes TMD for short, is a painful condition that can occur in the small, delicate joints that connect your jaws to your skull. These temporomandibular joints are located just below your ears.

When these joints become damaged or inflamed, this is known as TMJ. TMJ can cause lots of painful and uncomfortable symptoms, including jaw pain and tenderness, problems opening and closing your mouth properly, headaches, and more. At Amaya Dental, our team has years of experience treating patients with TMJ in Miami and Pembroke Pines areas. Contact us now to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, and get the expert help you need to get out of pain.

Did you know…

Women are up to 5x more likely to get TMJ than men. And, when diagnosed, women tend to have more severe severe TMJ symptoms, too.

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The TMJ Treatment Process

Consultation and diagnosis

As the first step, you’ll come into Amaya Dental for a consultation with one of our dentists. You’ll discuss your symptoms and get x-rays as well as a TMJ exam.

Treatment planning

Once we’ve confirmed your diagnosis, it’s time to begin planning your treatment. Lots of treatments exist for TMJ, including oral appliance therapy, Botox, orthodontics, and even certain lifestyle changes. We’ll work with you to choose the right treatment for your case.

Get back to your normal routine

With proper treatment, your TMJ symptoms will begin to fade. Your jaw will function normally, and you’ll be able to live your day-to-day life without the pain and discomfort of TMJ.

TMJ Treatment Options

Oral TMJ Appliances

A TMJ appliance is a special type of mouth guard that you’ll typically wear at night while you sleep. This device forces your jaw into a healthier position, which takes stress off of your jaw and helps your TMJ heal. Along with lifestyle changes, this may be enough to resolve minor to moderate TMJ.

Botox Injections

Botox is not only a cosmetic procedure, but is also an option for TMJ treatment. With Botox, your dentist can selectively paralyze some of the muscles in your jaw, such as your masseter muscle. This helps relieve stress on your jaw joints, eliminating pain and restoring oral range of motion.

Orthodontics

In some cases, TMJ can be caused or worsened by a bad bite and poor jaw alignment. If this is the case, orthodontics may be recommended alongside other treatments to improve your bite and the alignment of your teeth.

Have Questions About TMJ Treatment? Find Answers Here.

Does Teeth Grinding Cause TMJ?

Not always, but it can definitely be a contributing factor. TMJ is often caused by overuse of the jaw muscles, which puts strain on your jaw joints. If you’re consistently grinding your teeth at night or even during the day, this may cause or contribute to TMJ. Getting help for teeth grinding may help relieve your symptoms.

Do I Need Surgery For TMJ?

There are lots of treatment options for TMJ, and invasive jaw surgery is always a last resort. Most patients with TMJ can get relief from their symptoms with alternative treatments, so oral surgery is rarely recommended, except in very extreme cases, or if your TMJ has not responded to any other treatments.