If you think you have TMJ or have already been diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (referred to as both TMJ and TMD), you know full well that the symptoms are painful and can have a negative effect on your quality of life. TMJ is not just something you “have to live with” because there are a number of hugely successful conservative treatments for TMJ that have been providing relief for TMJ sufferers for many years. You just have to find the right Owasso, Oklahoma TMJ dentist who can diagnose and treat your specific TMJ issue.
As with most medical conditions, the degree of severity of TMJ varies from person to person. For that reason, no two people will have the same symptoms and require the same treatment plan. Your Owasso TMJ dentist will perform a thorough evaluation using the most advanced TMJ dental technology available today and will then explain to you where the problems lie.
Myriad of TMJ Symptoms
Most people present to their Owasso TMJ dentist with some combination of the following symptoms:
- Jaw pain
- Jaw tightness
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Ear pain
- Ear fullness
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Pain/numbness/tingling in the hands and fingers
Those are just a few of the most common symptoms. Just imagine how TMJ treatment, custom designed for your particular issue, can change your life. You don’t have to wake up every day in pain, and you don’t have to just accept the fact that you have to live with this problem TMJ treatment really works. One of the most appealing aspects of TMJ treatment in Owasso, OK is that surgery is rarely ever necessary.
TMJ Treatment
Neuromuscular dentists are thrilled to be a part of the evolution of TMJ treatment options over the last few years, and more TMJ treatments are on the horizon. The great news is that most TMJ treatments in Owasso, Oklahoma are conservative and require none of the “hard work” that treating other medical conditions requires.
If you do, in fact, have TMJ, your Owasso TMJ dentist will show you the results of the diagnostic testing utilized to pinpoint your problem. TMJ technology allows your TMJ dentist to track the movements and sounds of your Temporomandibular Joint, and the keen eye and ear of your dentist will pinpoint where the dysfunction occurs.
TENS TMJ Treatment
You may benefit from just a few sessions of what is known as TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) in which electrodes are placed on the problem areas. Electrical pulses provide relief from the pain, tightness, and tension in your affected areas. Some people benefit from a few sessions while others enjoy TENS sessions several times a month.
Oral Appliance TMJ Treatment
You may also benefit from an oral appliance worn while you sleep or even during the day. Unlike one-size-fits-all mouth guards that can purchased at your local pharmacy, your TMJ dentist will take impressions of your mouth. Your oral appliance will be custom made to realign your bite and make sure your teeth and jaws are resting in their optimal position. You may be a candidate for a DNA (Day Night Appliance) occlusal splint that will allow alignment correction virtually 24 hours a day.
A custom made oral appliance will also prevent you from grinding and clenching your teeth at night (medically known as “bruxism”). Without the grinding and clenching all night, your jaw is not subjected to the trauma of several hours of abuse.
TMJ Treatment at Home
Your Owasso, Oklahoma TMJ dentist will offer suggestions for at-home treatment of TMJ. There are certain foods to avoid, habits to avoid, and ways you can continue to alleviate the stress and tension your jaw is suffering. Your TMJ dentist may suggest you:
- Avoid crunchy, chewy foods
- Stop chewing gum
- Perform exercises at home to relax your jaw
- Be aware of clenching your teeth during stressful situations
- Apply heat or ice (your dentist will recommend how this is to be done)
Learn How TMJ Treatment in Owasso, OK Can Change Your Life
You need not suffer from TMJ another day. Dr. Heng Lim has been treating patients with TMJ for many years and has advanced training and education in conditions affecting the jaw and surrounding areas. Dr. Lim’s active membership in a number of professional organizations clearly shows his dedication to providing his patients the best care possible. Holistic dentistry focuses on the whole person, and a quick fix is never the focus. Please contact Dr. Lim at Life Smiles of Owasso by calling (918) 274-3779, or fill out our online contact form. One of our dental team members will reach out to answer questions or schedule a new patient evaluation.
