TMJ Therapy – Parker, CO
Stop Your Jaw Pain with TMJ Therapy
Does your jaw click or pop when opening or closing your mouth? Maybe you experience recurring jaw pain? You may be suffering from a disorder of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Your temporomandibular joints are located just in front of your ears, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. Inflammation within the joints and surrounding tissues can cause pain and limited mobility. Dr. Allen can stop your jaw pain and improve your oral functions with TMJ therapy.
What is TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder occurs when the joints are unable to function correctly due to inflammation or damage. Various factors can lead to TMJ dysfunction, like past injuries, teeth grinding, or a bad bite. No matter the issue, you have multiple solutions to stop the pain and improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorders can cause a variety of symptoms. They may come and go, or they can become progressively worse. Common symptoms of TMD include:
- Pain when opening or closing the mouth
- Grinding or clicking sound when opening or closing the mouth
- Inability to fully extend the jaw or complete jaw immobility
- Chronic headaches or earaches
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
Types of TMJ Treatment
Your TMJ specialist will examine your mouth, jaw, neck, and other oral structures to look for any abnormalities. Dr. Allen may also review X-rays or perform other diagnostic services to determine what's causing your disorder. Based on the results of his findings, he'll create a personalized treatment plan, which may include:
Occlusal Splint
For patients who have strained their jaw joints from unconscious movements or whose jaw rests in an uncomfortable position, wearing an occlusal splint during sleep is one of the simplest ways to relieve pain caused by TMD. These custom-crafted guards move the jaw to its ideal resting position to relieve strain and teeth grinding. An occlusal splint is worn nightly and won’t impede breathing or speech. After a few days, most patients notice a significant reduction in jaw pain and improved joint mobility. When worn consistently, occlusal splints may cause the jaw to rest naturally in this more comfortable position, even without nightly use.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment
Occlusal adjustments involve making slight alterations to your natural teeth. Changes to the relationship between your upper and lower teeth may improve your bite. Occlusal adjustments can include removing a small amount of enamel or applying crowns or bridges to promote a balanced bite. This will take pressure off your temporomandibular joints to allow your jaw to heal.
You don't have to live with recurring jaw pain. Dr. Allen has the solutions you need to treat TMJ disorders. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (720) 744-3698.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
How long does TMJ treatment take?
At Rodney Allen, DDS, our team is happy to offer several different levels of TMJ treatment interventions. For cases that are less severe, practicing our recommended jaw exercises every day can help provide you with temporary or even long-term relief if your discomfort is minor.
For patients who experience TMJ disorder as a result of jaw tension or an unbalanced bite due to ill-fitting restorations or dental work, equilibration or an occlusal splint may be necessary. Because we can complete equilibration in-office, it’s likely that you’ll notice more immediate relief over the week following your treatment. For those who receive an occlusal splint, you may notice relief as early as the first week, but you’ll need to consistently wear your appliance in order to continue experiencing its positive effects.
Can TMJD be treated without surgery?
Yes! In fact, our team only offers non-surgical treatment options to help ease pain caused by TMJ disorder. This allows our patients who are trying to avoid more extensive medical treatments like jaw surgery to benefit from less-invasive options, like one of our custom-fitted occlusal splints. In many cases, our patients are able to find relief with our treatments without needing to undergo surgery.
Is TMJ treatment expensive?
The cost of your TMJ treatment will depend on a number of factors, including what service you require, whether you have dental insurance and if your benefits cover the treatment, and if your dental insurance is in-network with our office.
Our team strives to make dentistry as accessible and affordable as possible, which is why we’re in-network with most major providers, like Delta Dental Premier, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and Assurant. Additionally, before you commit to a treatment, our front desk staff can conduct a benefits check to confirm how much, if any, of the cost of your treatment will be covered by your dental insurance plan. That way, you will have a clear idea of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Is TMJ treatment covered by insurance?
In some cases, TMJ treatments are partially covered by dental insurance. How much of your treatment is covered will be dependent on your individual plan, which is why we conduct benefits checks to make sure you understand the financial commitment of agreeing to undergo treatment. In order to do that, we ask that you please provide us with your dental insurance information before your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns about your dental insurance coverage and TMJ treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us.