TMJ Therapy
TMD Relief From Dr. Leitner
Contrary to popular belief, dentists don’t solely focus on teeth—dentists also address issues of the gums and jaw, because these structures are all interconnected. The health and integrity of your jaw can affect your oral health and overall wellness. During your routine exams at our Grand Haven office, we’ll examine your jaw and answer any questions you may have. If you’ve been experiencing issues, we’ll feel and listen to your jaw, observe the range of motion, and identify any areas of discomfort.
If we detect any issues, Dr. Leitner can protect your jaw through the use of effective TMJ therapy for treating TMJ disorders, also known as TMD.
What is TMD?
There are two joints on either side of your head where your skull connects with your jaw, right next to your ears. These joints, called the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), allow you to open and close your mouth and move your jaw in multiple directions.
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is characterized by problems that prevent your temporomandibular joints, jaw muscles, and nerves of the surrounding area from working properly. The TMJ area is one of the more complex parts of your body and it can be difficult to determine the causes of malfunction.
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- Dislocation
- Facial trauma
- Tension in the jaw when stressed
- Damage to the joint cartilage
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Malocclusion (ill-bite)
Symptoms of TMD
During your exam, it’s important to share any symptoms with Dr. Leitner. When issues with your temporomandibular joints occur, it can affect your ability to chew, speak, and swallow. TMD can also lead to the development of chronic pain, which can cause a host of related problems.
- Tenderness or pain in the jaw area
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Facial pain
- Lockjaw
- Popping or clicking while eating or speaking
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking
- Aching pain around your ear
- Chronic migraines
Diagnosing TMD
At the offices of John Leitner, DDS, we incorporate advanced dental technology in order to provide our patients with a more precise diagnosis so that we can craft the most efficient treatment plan. We use both the T-Scan® bite analysis system and Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) to check for issues related to the TMJ.
The T-Scan® bite analysis system is used for analyzing your bite. This tool will allow us to see if your TMD symptoms are a result of a misaligned bite. The Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) allows us to record and identify the vibrations of your temporomandibular joints.
TMD Treatments
During your initial exam, we’ll take dental x-rays so we can examine your teeth and jaw. If Dr. Leitner suspects TMD, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. With proper treatment, TMD can be reversed. Depending on the severity of your situation, treatment can last anywhere between 18 months to three years.
- Medication — to ease pain, relax muscles, or ease inflammation of the joints
- Therapy — to deal with stress effectively or strengthen the jaw
- TMJ Splints— if your TMD is a result of bruxism, an oral appliance may be used to combat teeth grinding
- Orthodontic Treatment— if your symptoms are caused by an ill bite, Dr. Leitner may develop a treatment plan centered around correcting your bite in order to ease your symptoms
- Surgical procedures — depending on your unique situation and the effectiveness of non-surgical methods, Dr. Leitner may recommend a surgical procedure
- Lifestyle changes — Dr. Leitner may recommend changes such as jaw strengthening, dietary changes, or stress management to help relieve your symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
When TMD goes untreated the most common consequence is chronic pain. However, there are other risks to leaving TMD untreated which include:
- Arthritis of the jaw
- Injury to the jaw
- Connective tissue diseases
- Extensive dental damage due to teeth grinding
- Gum recession due to teeth grinding
If you can’t open and close your jaw completely or if you have persistent pain in your jaw region, it’s best to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leitner at our Grand Haven office by calling (616) 842-2850 today.