TMD Treatment in Yokine
You'll find the relief you've been yearning for with TMD Treatment
You may be experiencing pain in your jaw, clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth wide. These are all signs that you may have a temporomandibular disorder.
Many people think of their chronic facial pain as just “a part of life.” They don’t realize that treatments are available to help them find relief. If left untreated, TMD can cause severe chronic pain and even lead to other health problems.
The symptoms can be challenging to deal with, but there might be hope for recovery. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have various treatment options to reduce pain by relaxing your jaw and facial muscles. At Clear Choice Dental, we provide a wide range of TMD treatments that you can choose from. We’re just here, ready to serve you with quality service whenever you need us most!
Common Reasons Why You Need TMD Treatment
Chronic pain:
Joint damage and inflammation:
Decreased quality of life:
Consistent headaches and migraines:
Bite issues:
Tooth erosion:
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Experience a brighter, healthier smile with Clear Choice Dental Yokine. Our dedicated team of dentists delivers tailored treatments, employs advanced techniques, and fosters a warm and welcoming environment. Schedule your initial consultation, and let’s start your journey to better oral health!
Why Choose Clear Choice Dental in Yokine
Here at Clear Choice Dental, we care about your smile. That’s why we have a team of friendly professionals who are dedicated to ensuring you get the best dental care possible. We provide cutting-edge services and want our patients’ smiles to last forever. With years of experience and extensive training, our dentists can give reliable and effective TMD treatments.
Smile! You’ve come to the right place if you want affordable dental services. We accept healthfunds and payment plans. The good news is that we are also providing TMD treatments at different locations, such as Maddington and Joondalup, so that you can easily access our service without travelling far. Reach out to us now, and we’re excited to help you out!
Frequently Asked Questions
About
TMD & Bruxism treatment
What are the signs and symptoms that I have TMD?
You may be wondering if you have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). It’s a common problem that many people suffer from but is often left undiagnosed. Here are some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for:
- Having pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints
- Aching pain around your ear
- Having difficulty chewing or experiencing pain while chewing
- Experiencing facial pain
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tooth Pain
- Dental sensitivity without any oral health problems
- A tingling or numb sensation in the fingers
- Limited mouth motions
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
- Changes in the way upper and lower teeth fit together
What are the possible causes of TMD?
The cause of this disorder may not always be clear. It is sometimes caused, in part, by excessive strain on the jaw joints and muscle groups controlling chewing, swallowing, and speech. This strain may be caused by bruxism. Generally, this is the habitual and involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth.
There is, however, a possibility that TMD may result from trauma to the jaw, the head, or the neck. Also, arthritis and displacement of the jaw joints can contribute to TMD pain. TMD might worsen or overlap with another painful medical condition, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. According to a recent study done by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, psychological, sensory, genetic, and nervous factors all play a role in developing chronic TMD.
Is TMD treatment painful?
After TMD surgery, you may experience pain from inflamed tissues. To help manage this pain, your dentist may prescribe pain medications and steroids. The first few days will be uncomfortable, but you should be able to manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.
What happens during TMD treatment?
TMD treatment typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and dental devices. Depending on the underlying cause of the TMD, the recommended treatment may vary. However, some common treatments include avoiding hard or chewy foods, performing gentle jaw exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
In more severe cases, a dentist may recommend using a mouthguard or orthotic appliance to position the jaw correctly. Surgery is rarely necessary and is usually only considered if other ineffective treatments fail. Working with a dentist or other medical professional makes it possible to find an effective treatment plan that can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medications
NSAIDs can be prescribed by your dentist if you suffer from pain or swelling. A muscle relaxer might be suggested if you grind or clench your teeth. To relieve stress, an anxiety-relieving medication may be prescribed to treat TMD. These medications may also be used to reduce or control pain in low doses. Anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants are only available on prescription.
Wearing a splint or night guard
The plastic mouthpieces fit over your upper and lower teeth, so they don’t touch. The treatment minimizes the effects of clenching and grinding and corrects your bite by putting your teeth in a more appropriate position. What are the differences between them? You wear a night guard while you sleep. On the other hand, you will use a splint all the time. Your dentist will determine the type of splint you need.
Dental procedure
Missing teeth can be replaced by crowns, bridges, or braces, and your dentist can use them to adjust your biting surfaces or correct your bite. Discover what causes an overbite and when an overbite is considered normal.
Alternative Treatments
Your dentist may recommend one or more of the following treatments if the above treatments do not help:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
The treatment relaxes your jaw joint and facial muscles using low-level electrical currents. You can have it done in the dentist’s office or at home. - Using ultrasound technology.
Applying heat to the joint helps relieve pain and improve mobility. - Trigger-point injections.
Injecting pain medication or anesthesia into tender facial muscles, known as “trigger points,” helps alleviate pain. - Radio wave therapy.
Stimulating the joint with radio waves increases blood flow and relieves pain. - Low-level laser therapy.
The medication reduces inflammation and pain and allows you to move your neck more naturally and open your mouth wider.
Surgical treatment for TMD
When other treatments are ineffective, surgery may be your only option. Once it’s done, it can’t be undone, so make sure you are fully decided and informed about the procedure.
A TMD can be managed in three ways. The type you need depends on your condition.
- Arthrocentesis
If you have a locked jaw but no history of TMJ, arthrocentesis is recommended. This is a minor procedure that your dentist can perform in their office. You’ll be given general anesthesia, and then they’ll inject needles into your joint and wash it out. Special tools may be used to remove damaged tissue, dislodge a disc stuck in the joint, or unstick the joint itself. - Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is surgery performed with an arthroscope. An arthroscope is a special tool with a lens and light. In addition, it allows your dentist to see inside your joint. A dentist will give you general anesthesia, and then make a small cut to insert the tool in front of your ear. Your joint will be hooked up to a video screen, allowing them to see your joint and the surrounding area. The procedure may involve removing inflamed tissue or realigning the disc or joint. The surgery is less invasive, leaves a smaller scar, has fewer complications, and takes less time to recover from than major surgery. - Open-joint surgery
Arthroscopy may not be possible depending on the cause of the TMD. You might need this procedure if:
- There is wear and tear on the bony structures of your jaw joint
- Tumours are present in or around your joints
- You have scars or bone chips in your joint
Following general anesthesia, the dentist will open up the joint area around it so they can better examine and access it. The healing process after open-joint surgery will take longer, and there is a greater chance of scarring and nerve damage.
Can I prevent TMD?
TMD pain can be prevented in several ways. You can do a few things on your own to help you relieve some of the pain. Some of these things require you to adjust your behaviour, while others involve stepping back from your everyday routines and finding ways to de-stress.
We’ve listed a few practical ways to prevent TMD pain below:
- Reduce stress by finding ways to relax: Many people find relaxation in meditation, yoga, and massage. Jaw clenching or grinding of the teeth can lead to TMD if you are stressed out.
- Stop chewing gum: It can cause your jaw muscles to be overworked and stressed.
- Exercise your jaw: To increase the mobility of your jaw joint, try some gentle jaw stretches.
- Make soft foods your first choice: Take a break from crunching and grinding your food.
- Watch out for bad habits: Such habits include biting your nails, chewing on cheeks and lips, resting your jaw on your hand, clenching your teeth, grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw muscles and pushing your tongue against your teeth.