TMJ / TMD Treatment – Houston, TX
Proven Solutions for Jaw Pain & Headaches
Does your jaw click, pop, or even hurt every time you move it? Has it even become stuck while opening or closing? Do you suffer from constant headaches or earaches? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you may be experiencing a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or TMD. This is a problem that concerns the hinges that connect your lower jaw to the rest of your head, and this can greatly affect someone’s oral health and day-to-day comfort. Thankfully, if you’re experiencing any of these issues, Muse Dental Studio can find the root of the problem and provide a number of noninvasive therapies that will help you get the long-term relief you deserve.
Why Choose Muse Dental Studio for TMJ / TMD Treatment?
- Team led by 2 dentists with over 20 years of experience
- Able to stop chronic headaches & unconscious teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Therapeutic mouthguards specially-designed for each patient
Diagnosis & Treatment
Your TMJ consists of an intricate network of bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves all working together, and it is quite sensitive. Factors like injury, arthritis, and even a misaligned bite can lead to all kinds of dysfunction and pain. Examining the TMJ is a standard part of every checkup we provide, and if a patient reports or exhibits any signs of a TMD, our next goal will be to determine the underlying cause of the problem. To do this, we will perform a number of tests and scans as well as take X-rays of the joint so we can figure out the appropriate treatment.
BioPak System
The BioPak System gives our team the ability to actually map the range of movement of the jaw as well as to measure the bite. This helps us see if any irregularities in the TMJ could be causing pain. This System comes with an extensive software package that allows us to analyze the data down to the finest detail so we can pinpoint what is causing a patient’s issues, showing us exactly what needs to be done in regards to treatment.
Equilibration /Occlusal Adjustments
The orientation of a patient’s teeth can actually be the source of their TMJ issues. If the bite can’t come together properly, this can place undue pressure on the muscles of the TMJ and even cause them to strain. By adjusting a few teeth to rebalance the bite, we can dramatically improve jaw function as well as stop chronic pain. Often, all we need to do is place restorations over certain teeth and slightly reshape others to achieve an instant result.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a type of mouthpiece we can use to help a patient resolve TMD-related discomfort as well as overcome one of the most common symptoms: nighttime teeth grinding, or bruxism. Specially-made for each patient, they only need to wear the splint to bed to enjoy its benefits. It will slightly adjust the jaw into a more natural and functional position, allowing the muscles to heal and relax. Over time, the jaw will learn to “stay” in this new position, helping a patient experience long-term relief.