TMJ DISORDER TREATMENT OPTIONS

Are you dealing with stiff, sore jaws? We can help.

There are many patients suffering from aching, painful jaws that are associated with TMJ/TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. If you are afflicted with this condition it’s important to find the best approach for easing symptoms and improving how the jaw joints function. From the office of our Denver, CO, dentist, Dr. Steven Wilk offers a variety of TMJ treatments.  

What are the symptoms and signs of a TMJ disorder?

You may be dealing with TMJ if you notice,

• Sore and achy jaws
• Jaws that easily feel tired or overworked
• Jaws that click or pop when opening or closing them
• Frequent headaches
• Pain behind the ears
• Earaches
• Shoulder or neck pain

If you suspect that you may have TMJ, now is the perfect time to schedule a consultation with our TMJ dentist in Denver. In some cases, a temporomandibular joint disorder may resolve itself with simple at-home measures and care. This includes implementing certain lifestyle changes to accommodate your condition and reduce strain and pressure placed on the jaw. Common lifestyle changes include,

• Cutting food into small, bite-sized pieces
• Eat soft foods
• Avoiding foods that require you to open your mouth too wide
• Avoiding chewing gum or crunching on ice, which can exacerbate your symptoms
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications
• Performing jaw exercises to improve functionality, range of motion and mobility of the joints
• Finding outlets that will help you relax and reduce stress-induced habits like teeth grinding or jaw clenching (e.g. meditation; yoga)

If simple at-home care doesn’t provide you with relief then it’s time to discuss more effective treatment options. Those with severe or persistent TMJ may benefit from a customized dental splint. This splint removes pressure off the jaw while sleeping, which is ideal for patients who are chronic teeth grinders or jaw clenchers. Wearing this custom-made oral device reduces wear and tear on the teeth and jaw joints. At the same time, it reduces symptoms such as sore jaws, headaches, and neck pain. 

If you are worried that you or a loved one are suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder, call the experts at Center for Headache, TMJ, and Sleep Disorders in Denver, CO, to find out if this is the best treatment option for you. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Wilk by calling 303-758-4865 or fill out our online form.