TMJ Treatment Specialist Irvine
Our TMJ treatment in Irvine can make a world of difference. If your jaw is having issues, you may need to see a TMJ Specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Through professional treatment, you can overcome symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and difficulty with eating or speaking. Call OC Dental Specialists today to get started on restoring healthy functionality to your jaw with a team of skilled professionals. Living with TMJ disorders can be quite the challenge, so we are proud to do our part in helping our patients overcome their symptoms and get lasting relief.
What Does TMJ Stand For?
Your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is a complex body joint located on each side of your face. It connects both your lower and upper jaw together, acting both a hinge and a sliding joint. In short, this join is what allows your jaw to open and close. A healthy joint allows your jaw to move forward, backward, and side to side without pain or issue. However, this joint is often under a significant amount of stress and can have a number of problems arise regarding it. Still, with so much complexity in the part of your mouth, not any doctor can treat it. At OC Dental Specialists, our dentists have years of experience treating TMJ disorders.
Botulinum Toxin for TMJ
OC Dental Specialists offers Botulinum Toxin injections as one of our effective methods to treat TMJ disorders. You likely have heard of Botox as a wrinkle reducer, but the truth is that this medical compound has a range of functional benefits in medical practice. The reason it works so well for relieving symptoms of TMJ is that Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment that reduces muscle spasms, alleviates jaw pain, and improves chewing ability. However, it should only be performed by an experienced medical practitioner in the right environment in order to remain safe. This procedure can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as oral splint therapy or orthodontic treatment to provide additional symptom relief.
Using expert techniques, we provide comfortable injection treatments in brief sessions. Afterward, many patients are able to return right back to their daily routine without needing to take any downtime.
How Soon Can I See Results?
Most people will begin to see some relief within three to seven days after their Botulinum toxin injection session. Results can last for up to four months and, on average, many patients may require two treatments per year. However, there are a range of factors that can influence the impact and duration of your results. We often may use this treatment in combination with others to help provide fast symptom relief while working on approaching the core cause of the patient's disorder with other treatments.
Is Treating TMJ With Botulinum Toxin Right for Me?
If you are suffering from TMJ pain and discomfort, our expert practitioners would be happy to consult you on whether Botulinum Toxin injections are the right treatment for your particular condition. We will always do a thorough examination of your mouth, neck, and jaw muscles before recommending any treatment. If we decide that this form of therapy is suitable for you, we will carefully explain the procedure and discuss any questions you may have. Our aim is to always provide our patients with the best possible treatment outcome with minimal discomfort or side effects.
If you are interested in learning more about Botulinum Toxin for treating TMJ disorders, please contact us at OC Dental Specialists today to set up your consultation. You can take the first step toward finally seeing immense symptom relief from your TMJ disorder.
What Causes TMJ Problems?
TMJ issues arise for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common ones include teeth grinding and dislocation due to an injury. Arthritis and teeth-jaw misalignments can also contribute to developing a TMJ disorder.
TMJ disorders can also prove challenging to pinpoint without an expert’s evaluation. A combination of factors can come into play for your specific jaw, such as genetics, posture, diet, and more. This is why it’s important to see a TMJ treatment specialist to make sure you’re diagnosed correctly and to receive the proper care your jaw needs.
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Do You Need TMJ Disorder Treatment?
Your jaw joint is in close proximity to various nerves and muscles in your face and neck. This can cause a lot of seemingly unrelated symptoms due to TMJ disorders, such as:
- Aching, throbbing pain around the ear and face
- Excessive teeth grinding at night
- Excruciating headaches, especially around the temples
- Jaw clicking, popping, and or locking
- Difficulty or inability to open the mouth wide open
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Tightness in your jaw, neck, or shoulder muscles
- Shoulder pain and difficulty lifting up shoulders
- Dizzy spells
With so many symptoms, it becomes obvious how these disorders can leave a negative impact on your daily life. If you have any of the above symptoms, we recommend coming in for an evaluation to see what the source is. We closely examine multiple factors to see if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder or something else.
TMJ Treatment Overview
TMJ disorders have lots of potential causes and symptoms. Therefore a lot of treatment options exist as well, each designed to match the patient’s unique needs. In some instances, symptoms will subside on their own. Still, each case is unique and will need a proper diagnosis from a TMJ dental specialist to help you get your life back on track.
For Milder Cases
On the conservative end, there are milder remedies to help alleviate TMJ symptoms. Your specialist may suggest some of the following:
- Taking over the counter meds like ibuprofen for muscle pain relief
- Heat and cold packs and compresses to the jaw
- Gentle jaw stretches to help with the mouth opening
- Eating softer foods such as yogurt, fruits, and veggies
- Self-relaxation techniques
For Persistent Cases
If you’ve tried home remedies without much success, there are more professional treatments available. Some your dentist can use such as:
- A mouth guard to wear at night to help with jaw teeth clenching
- Restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth to help balance biting function. Procedures such as teeth implants, crowns, and or dental bridges
- Prescription medication
Ultrasound therapy
Low-level laser therapy to lower pain and inflammation
If conservative and standard treatments aren’t effective, there are other options, such as dental surgery. In such a procedure, your oral surgeon will be focused on restoring joint function. Any imaging and cleaning of the joint will be performed as necessary to ensure optimal results.
Call Today for an Appointment Today
If you’re currently suffering from jaw symptoms that aren’t improving, it may be time to give us a call. Our TMJ specialists in Irvine will be able to properly diagnose what’s causing your issues and then formulate a solid treatment plan to get you symptom-free again. Our dental office offers emergency same-day dental appointments. We accept many PPO Insurances while also offering new patient specials for cash-paying patients. We look forward to helping you get your smile back on track with compassionate care and personalized treatment.
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