TMJ Disorder, arm yourself with the knowledge needed to treat it at Lawrence Dental Group in Kingston, PA
If you are suffering from unexplained migraines or ongoing pain in your ears, jaw, neck or shoulders, you may be suffering from something called a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Dr. Stephen Lawrence at Lawrence Dental Group in Kingston, PA works together with patients to diagnose and treat their TMJ disorder so that they can be set on a path to a pain-free life.
Diagnosis
When you go in for your examination, your doctor will want to discuss any symptoms you are experiencing and then perform an examination on your jaw. Steps that will be taken could include:
- The doctor will listen to your jaw as well as feel it as you open and close it
- Observation of the motion of your jaw will be taken
- Areas of pain/discomfort will be identified by feeling and pressing on your jaw
Once this has been completed, if a problem is suspected, the next steps may include:
- X-rays of your jaw and teeth
- Scans which can provide more detail of the bones and joints
- An MRI could be recommended so see surrounding soft tissue
Treatments
For some, symptoms which point to a TMJ disorder could go away on their own. For others, when problems persist, various treatment options could be recommended, including:
Medications
Managing the pain caused by TMJ disorders through the use of medication is a temporary option to see if symptoms will subside. Medications that could be recommended or prescribed include:
- Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication include over-the-counter options meant to relieve pain. If OTC options are not working, prescription-strength options may be prescribed.
- Muscle Relaxants may be taken for several days or weeks to help alleviate pain created by TMJ disorder via muscle spasms. Again, this is just a temporary measure and not an option meant for the long term.
Therapies
Non-medicinal options for treating TMJ disorder can include various therapies, including:
- Occlusal Appliances can be a soft or firm device which is inserted over the teeth meant to help with jaw pain.
- Physical Therapy along with various exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the jaw. Treatments could include moist heat, ice and ultrasound therapies.
- Counseling can help educate you on behaviors that can aggravate pain from TMJ disorder. Knowing what aggravates your condition can help you avoid these behaviors. Examples of this could include teeth grinding or clenching or leaning on your chin for long periods.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stephen Lawrence at Lawrence Dental Group in Kingston, PA, please call (570) 852-2650 today!
