TMJ Therapy – Covington, GA

Find Relief from Persistent Jaw Pain

Are you suffering from a persistent ache in your jaw? It is possible that you have TMJ dysfunction, which is also known as TMJ disorder or TMD. This persistent condition can negatively affect your quality of life and may signal an underlying problem. What can you do to find relief? The answer may be as simple as scheduling a consultation with Dr. Stephen Dean. He has completed specialized training in TMJ therapy in Covington and would be pleased to help you conquer TMD.

Why Choose Dean Dental Care for TMJ Therapy?

Dentist with Specialized Training in TMJ/TMD
Gentle, Personalized Care
Find Long-Lasting Relief from Jaw Pain

What Are the TMJ and TMD?

Woman in need for TMJ therapy in Covington

TMJ is an acronym that stands for “temporomandibular joint.” It connects your lower jaw to the rest of your skull, and it is located in front of each of your ears. TMD can refer to any number of problems that affect how the TMJ functions and feels. According to some estimates, more than 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMD. It is most common in women of childbearing age, but it can afflict individuals of any age or gender.

There are many possible causes of TMD, including:

Injury to the joint
A misaligned bite
A stressful lifestyle
Teeth grinding and clenching (also called bruxism)
Poor posture
Arthritis

Symptoms of TMD

Woman in bed, suffering symptoms of TMJ disorder

There are a broad range of symptoms that may indicate TMD, including but not limited to:

Jaw pain
A locking or popping sensation in the jaw
Difficulty chewing
Headaches
Migraines (these may not be directly caused by TMD, but research indicates that TMD can make them more severe and more frequent)
Neck, shoulder, and back pain
Ringing in the ears or temporary hearing loss
Dizziness
Bruxism

Treatment Options

Occlusal splint to treat TMD, stored in blue case

Some individuals find that their TMJ pain goes away on its own after a while or with the use of home remedies. While home remedies, such as facial massage and stress relief techniques, may be quite helpful, they do not always address the root cause of TMD. That is why, instead of waiting for your TMD to disappear, you should seek professional treatment. After Dr. Dean evaluates your situation, he may recommend one of the following treatments.

Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments

If a misaligned bite is to blame for your TMD, Dr. Dean may be able to help by slightly altering the way your teeth fit together. This might involve modifying any crowns or bridges you have, adjusting the shape of your dental enamel, or other techniques.

Occlusal Splints

An occlusal splint is a custom oral device that resembles a mouthguard. It slightly repositions the jaw, helping the TMJ joint to relax and thereby relieving strain on both it and the nearby muscles. For many patients, an occlusal splint can provide long-term TMD relief.

Do you suspect that you have TMD? Contact Dean Dental Care today to schedule your consultation. It may not be long before your smile is once again functioning and feeling its best.

TruDenta®

We often use the TruDenta system as part of a patient’s overall TMD treatment plan. TruDenta is an FDA-approved system that uses advanced technology to identify problems with the TMJ and relieve pressure on painful trigger points. It is usually used in conjunction with occlusal splints. It is a customized approach to TMD that takes each patient’s unique needs into account.

Advanced Diagnostics

TruDenta treatments starts with a detailed and advanced diagnostic process, which can involve several different steps:

We will learn about your history with TMJ problems, as well as your history of migraines, headaches, and other issues that are often related to the function of the TMJ.
We will scan your mouth and examine your bite, perhaps including a force and range of motion analysis. This is a critical step because more often than not, TMD stems from malocclusion (a bad bite).
We will examine the muscles around your TMJ.

The Treatment Process

After the thorough diagnostic process, we will be ready to start your treatment plan. Treatment with TruDenta may involve:

Ultrasound
Massage
Photobiomodulation (which is popularly known as cold laser therapy)

These therapies are noninvasive, and most patients find them to be quite comfortable. Your treatment plan might require multiple visits to our office. Each visit may last about one hour or so. The number of sessions you require will depend on the nature and severity of your TMD symptoms. Some patients require just a few visits, while others should visit us weekly for up to 8 weeks or longer.