TMJ Treatment Dentists Michigan

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull on each side. If you have persistent jaw pain, this may be a sign that there’s something wrong with this area. Our West Michigan TMJ dentists will be able to help you find relief through a personalized TMJ treatment plan so you can enjoy an improved quality of life and avoid unwanted oral health complications.

Learn more about this condition and our approach to treating TMJ disorders below.

Reasons for TMJ Treatment

If you recognize any TMJ disorder symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our offices as soon as possible. During your appointment, one of our local family dentists will examine and feel along your jaw for abnormalities. We’ll also ask you to open and close your mouth so we can examine your bite and listen for clicking sounds that would indicate a positive TMJ disorder diagnosis.

Common TMJ symptoms include:

  • Jaw pain
  • Stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
  • Chronic headaches or migraines
  • Earaches or pressure in the ears
  • Facial muscle tension
  • Difficulty or pain while eating (limited jaw mobility)
  • Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds when moving your jaw
  • Jaws locked in place while mouth is open or closed

Many patients seeing a dentist for a TMJ disorder find relief with a custom bite splint, which helps hold the jaw in place while you sleep. Some TMJ dysfunction is caused by excessive teeth grinding or clenching so the presence of a night guard helps to cushion the teeth, absorb the pressure, and prevent overuse of the jaw muscles. As a result, many people experience fewer headaches and less facial discomfort over time.

Surgery is a last resort if other non-invasive TMJ pain relief methods haven’t worked. Depending on your unique circumstances, we may refer you to a nearby TMJ specialist.

Schedule a TMJ Disorder Evaluation

Our TMJ dentists serving West Michigan want to help you return back to a life without jaw pain. The first step is to meet with our team for a proper evaluation and from there, we can determine what the appropriate form of treatment is for you.Call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations down below to schedule an appointment today!

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