Many people are prone to clenching their jaw or grinding their teeth both at night and during periods of high stress. These habits might seem relatively harmless, but they often have dire consequences, such as severe jaw pain.
Jaw pain can make everyday tasks like eating and speaking extremely uncomfortable. And while occasional jaw pain or soreness might not be cause for concern, consistent or severe jaw issues aren’t something to ignore.
When you have problems with your jaw, it is a good idea to see a qualified dentist who can diagnose the issue and find an effective treatment plan. At Broadway Dental of Pearland, Dr. Allouch can treat TMJ pain using advanced technologies and a variety of effective methods.
Discover more about TMD treatment in Pearland by calling our office today.
What Is TMD Treatment?
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ stands for the actual joint itself, while TMJ disorders, abbreviated as TMD, refer to various conditions that affect the jaw joint, including the muscles and ligaments. You have two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of your head.
It is common to have issues with these joints. In fact, it is estimated that around 5–12% of adults have some issue with TMD.
TMJ pain is often caused by stress, teeth grinding, or issues with how your teeth bite together. TMD treatments are necessary to alleviate these issues and ensure you don’t have jaw pain.
Symptoms of TMD
While TMD can have different causes, the symptoms are usually similar. The most common signs of TMD include:
- Jaw pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Issues opening and closing your mouth
- Headaches or migraines
- Face pain
- Jaw popping or clicking noises
- Earaches
- Ringing in your ears
- Jaw stiffness
- Toothaches
These symptoms can also indicate other dental or medical disorders, so it is a good idea to see a dentist for a diagnosis, especially if the issues persist.
Convenient, Effective Treatment Options
TMD can have many underlying causes. We realize that every patient is different, so we offer many treatment options to find the right solution for your TMJ pain.
Here’s an overview of our TMD treatment options and how they work:
- Bite guards: Also known as mouth guards, these are dental appliances that help cushion your teeth to prevent grinding and clenching. We make custom bite guards in our office.
- Kois deprogrammers: The Kois deprogrammer is another removable device, but instead of working like a retainer, it is made of plastic and sits on the hard palate of your mouth to stabilize your bite.
- Occlusal equilibration: This procedure involves making minor adjustments to the biting surfaces of your teeth to ensure an even bite, which can help alleviate stress on the TMJ and reduce symptoms of TMD.
We utilize 3D printers in our office, so we can print out some of these devices in just a short amount of time. We want you to find relief from TMJ pain, so we can try out different appliances and other methods to find what works best for your needs.
Call for a Consultation
TMD issues can make it difficult to do daily tasks because they cause many frustrating and painful symptoms. With Dr. Allouch’s help, you can find the treatments that fix your TMJ pain, so you can go about your life as normal.
To learn more about TMJ disorders and treatments, call our office to book an appointment.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Allouch earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He continues his advanced training at the Kois Center in Seattle, WA, which focuses on research-based education. He is part of the elite 6% of general dentists in the U.S. to earn a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, and he holds an Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Allouch specializes in Comprehensive and Implant Dentistry and in enhancing patients’ total health.
