TMJ Treatment – Oklahoma City, OK
Solutions for Chronic Jaw Pain & Headaches
At Grand Dental Studio, Dr. Michael Kirk can treat a multitude of problems that surface when the teeth, jaws, and muscles don’t work in harmony.
We offer several conservative approaches to TMJ treatment in Oklahoma City, with the focus on relieving pain and restoring your muscles and joints to a relaxed state. Call or click here to reserve your consultation.
Why Choose Grand Dental Studio for TMJ Treatment?
- Can Stop Chronic Headaches/Migraines
- Fully Customized Therapeutic Mouthguards
What is TMJ Disorder?
“TMJ” stands for temporomandibular joints, and they are the small hinges located in front of your ears. You can feel them if you move your jaw from side to side.
Whether due to unconscious teeth grinding, chronic stress, arthritis, or a misaligned bite, this can introduce excessive pressure and strain to the TMJ as well as the nearby muscles, causing them to overwork and tire themselves out persistently. The result is stiffness and soreness that cannot only be felt in the face but also easily radiate into the head, neck, and shoulders as well.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Loose teeth
- Jaw pain
- Cracked teeth or fillings
- Clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism)
- Clicking and popping jaw
- Shoulder, neck, or back pain
- Sensitivity in teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Receding gums
Occlusal Splint
Utilizing a small, custom-made mouthpiece to keep your joints properly positioned is one method of addressing TMJ. A patient would only need to wear it to bed, placing the jaw in a more natural and relaxed position. This would enable the muscles to finally rest and heal. Some patients only need to wear their splint for a limited time before experiencing ongoing relief, while others simply need to use it every night to keep seeing results.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment
An unbalanced bite can create high-pressure spots within the mouth, forcing the jaw to instinctually press really hard so that all the teeth touch. With equilibration, we’re able to determine how your teeth are meeting when your mouth is closed so we can find any areas that are contributing to TMJ issues.
By making slight adjustments to the height and shape of certain teeth (either by removing a small amount of enamel or building it up with a restoration), we can even out the bite so that the muscles and teeth work in harmony, causing the pain to go away.