At Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, providing relief to people with TMJ/TMD is one of our most important functions.
Temporomandibular Disorders – TMD – are a wide range of problems that often overlap. They are generally associated with pain in the jaw joint, and in the muscles surrounding that joint.
Most of the problems we group together as TMD get better over time. The symptoms, for most patients, are temporary, and sometimes get better without any treatment at all. But they can also return without any warning.
We recommend a conservative approach to the start of any treatment. These include:
- The application of ice packs and/or moist heat (we’ll advise you on this)
- Avoiding unnecessary jaw movements, such as chewing gum
- Eat soft foods, bite-size
- Jaw exercises (slow and gentle) and relaxation techniques
- Pain medication
We start with conservative treatments because they do not involve invading any body tissues. Even in cases where symptoms have become persistent, most patients don’t need aggressive treatments.
At Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions, we have advanced diagnostic technology that analyzes the position, movements, and sounds of your joint. This enables us to customize a treatment for your unique form of TMD.
Treatment may include using a splint. A splint is a type of mouth guard that fits over the teeth to prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming together. Because it makes it hard to grind your teeth or clench your jaw, they take pressure off the jaw joints and muscles. This allows them to relax and heal.
The key to any successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. , followed by treatment. If you or a loved one are suffering with TMD, or suspect you might be, please contact us at Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutons in Brentwood TN today to see how we can help.
