TMJ Therapy
San Diego, CA
 At Enamel General and Cosmetic Dentistry, we specialize in correcting temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which are often referred to as TMD. When compared to conventional TMJ treatments, neuromuscular dentistry provides several benefits to patients searching for relief. If you suffer from the inconvenient and often painful symptoms associated with TMD, come visit us at Enamel General and Cosmetic Dentistry so our staff can help you find the ideal solution.
What Is TMJ and TMD?
Compromised of bones, ligaments, muscles, disks, and cartilage, the temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. This delicate system acts like a sliding hinge that allows you to move your lower jaw forward, backward, and side-to-side. In other words, your TMJ is responsible for your ability to chew, speak, yawn, and smile. Any problem with your TMJ may prevent you from being able to perform these functions without pain, or sometimes even at all.
Any problem that prevents you from properly moving your jaw is known as a TMJ disorder or TMD. Symptoms of TMD include:
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Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
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Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
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Pain or tenderness in the jaw area, neck, shoulders, or face
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Pain similar to an earache
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A jaw that gets stuck or locked in a certain position (lockjaw)
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Pain when chewing, speaking, or yawning
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A tired feeling in your face or jaw
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Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) |
The causes of TMJ are still not entirely known, as the disorder shares many symptoms with other ailments. However, we do know that symptoms usually arise due to muscular problems or problems within the joint itself. Many times, these problems stem from a misaligned jaw or bite.
Conventional TMJ Treatments
Oral Appliances
One of the most common treatments for TMJ disorders involves an oral appliance. An oral appliance, such as a mouthguard or splint, is designed to keep the jaw in its proper position at night. This type of treatment is particularly effective for patients that also grind their teeth or clench their jaw during sleep.
Counseling, Physical Therapy, Medication
Other treatments involve habit counseling, physical therapy, and muscle relaxants. It is important to note that medications like pain relievers and muscle relaxants are generally considered a temporary measure to provide short-term relief. For this reason, many patients choose neuromuscular treatments for a more permanent solution.
Neuromuscular Treatments
Neuromuscular dentistry is a relatively new branch of dentistry designed to alleviate the problem and often painful symptoms of TMJ disorders. One of the most popular neuromuscular treatments involves TENS, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. TENS therapy can be a very sucessful option in treating TMJ, due to its effectiveness in relieving several TMJ-related symptoms.
Neuromuscular treatments are designed to permanently realign the jaw, correct malocclusions, and alleviate the symptoms of TMD. While this approach is relatively new, many dentists have adopted the technique due to superior results. While other treatments only address the symptoms, neuromuscular dentistry allows us to correct the underlying causes of those symptoms of TMJ.
According to the Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice, most medical professionals agree that malocclusion may play a significant role in TMD as both a precipitant and perpetuating cause. The goal of neuromuscular treatment is to establish the proper physiological resting position for your jaw, which is directly tied to occlusion. Once we establish the appropriate resting position, we may recommend orthodontic or restorative dentistry to achieve and maintain proper alignment.
What Is TENS for TMJ and Why Is It so Effective?
The exact cause of your TMD will be nearly impossible to determine as many of the symptoms are indicative of other ailments as well. Many times, TMJ problems stem from tension in the jaw muscles due to continuous and unconscious clenching or teeth grinding. TENS therapy is one of the few treatments that directly address muscle tension without the use of medication.
How TENS Therapy Works
During TENS therapy, the dentist will attach electrodes to the skin on or around your jaw muscles. These electrodes emit low-frequency electrical stimulation that cause your muscles to relax and contract, stimulating the release of endorphins and hormones that block nerve pain and even improve your mood. By the end of your treatment, your jaw muscles should be much more relaxed, which alleviates painful symptoms associated with TMJ problems.
The TENS unit produces electrical stimulation at a pre-determined rate designed to work out tension and eliminate toxins. TENS therapy is also based on a method known as gate control theory, which suggests that both painful and nonpainful signals cannot travel to the brain's receptors at the same time. If nonpainful inputs are activated, they essentially "close the gate" for painful ones, reducing or eliminating TMJ discomfort.
It's important to note that TENS therapy is not an exact science. Studies are currently underway to determine the most effective placement for each electrode. However, both doctors and patients have found TENS to be a highly beneficial treatment with minimal or no risk of side-effects.
Benefits of TENS Treatment and the Neuromuscular Approach
TENS therapy can help alleviate several TMD symptoms, some of which include:
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Pain or tenderness in the jaw muscles
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Headaches or pain behind the eyes
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Shoulder and neck pain
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Inexplicable tooth pain not related to decay or trauma
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A tingling sensation in the arms or hands
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Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
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Facial muscle tension |
TENS is not a cure for TMD, but rather a non-invasive and immediate way for patients to find pain relief. Once your muscles are relaxed, we should be able to determine the physiological resting position for your jaw through other neuromuscular technology. We may also recommend additional treatments, such as orthodontics or mouthguards, to keep your teeth and jaw in the proper alignment.
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to learn more about TMJ and TMD and how our dental team can help relieve your jaw discomfort and pain, contact Enamel General and Cosmetic Dentistry. Our team is happy to help, as we offer several treatment options for TMD. Call 949-991-2499 to schedule a consultation today!
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