Your Guide to Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Treatment at the Dentist’s Office

Are you looking for a TMJ dentist in Spokane, Washington? You are in luck! Stein Family Dentistry offers TMJ treatment to patients from several locations in Washington. While you may have heard TMJ disorder needs surgical intervention, Dr. Andy Stein uses a conservative approach to ensure a painless life. Schedule an appointment today as the first step toward TMJ pain relief.

Do you think you have TMJ pain?

The term “TMJ” is short for temporomandibular joint. These hinge-like joints on either side of the face allow your jaws to move in almost every direction to facilitate chewing, speaking, smiling, yawning, and other oral functions. Unfortunately, TMJs can be injured, irritated, or inflamed. When this happens, you’ll experience numerous unpleasant symptoms.

Some include:

  • Painful chewing
  • Tension headaches
  • Chronic jaw pain or soreness
  • Locked jaws
  • Clicking sounds when opening and closing your jaws
  • Pain in the face, upper neck, and facial region
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Several factors can cause TMJ pain. Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) is the most common. When you grind and clench your teeth without a barrier between them, the forces generated wear out your jaw joints and muscles, resulting in TMJ-related symptoms. Other causes of TMJ pain include arthritis, stress, injury, and jaw misalignment.

How do we diagnose TMJ pain?

Diagnosing TMJ pain presents unique challenges because its symptoms often mimic those of migraines, ear infections, sinusitis, and toothaches. This overlap can easily lead to misdiagnosis, where treatments target the wrong cause of pain, leaving the underlying TMJ disorder unaddressed. The result is a frustrating cycle of ineffective therapies and persistent discomfort.

Our dentist offers a comprehensive TMJ evaluation to pinpoint the exact cause. The doctor will inquire into your medical history and analyze your symptoms. We’ll also check your teeth for signs of cracked, chipped, or flattened enamel. These indicate the presence of bruxism, a trigger for TMJ pain.

Our dentist also physically examines your jaw joints for signs of limited mobility, tenderness, and popping sounds. Where necessary, we’ll use digital X-rays and scans to detect abnormalities in your jaw joints.

How is TMJ pain treated?

Once we determine the cause and severity of your TMJ pain, we’ll devise a customized treatment plan to restore your oral health. If bruxism or stress is the cause, we’ll prescribe a customized oral device. A TMJ mouthguard prevents tooth-to-tooth contact to protect your jaw joints from teeth-grinding forces. The TMJ device also allows your jaw joints to relax and heal, reducing TMJ-related symptoms.

Other possible treatments for TMJ pain include:

  • Orthodontics to fix tooth and bite misalignment
  • Jaw rehabilitation exercises
  • Lifestyle changes, including ice pack application, soft foods, and reducing gum chewing
  • Stress management techniques
  • Muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Treating undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing conditions

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for TMJ pain. However, our team will work with you until you find pain relief. Although it’s rare, surgery may be recommended, but this happens if you don’t respond to conservative treatments.

Is it time for TMJ pain treatment?

Stein Family Dentistry provides non-invasive treatment options for TMJ pain. Don’t let TMJ disorder prevent you from living your life to the fullest. Dial (509) 463-1770 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Andy Stein and his team in Spokane, WA. Soon, you’ll enjoy restful nights and wake up energized to take on the day.