Get relief with laser treatment and other options for TMJ pain in Payson, Utah

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a complex condition that can have a number of underlying causes. Millions of people with the condition go undiagnosed or fail to find an effective treatment that helps provide relief from their symptoms, but at TMJ & Sleep Therapy of Utah, we are committed to changing that. Dr. Cheyn Gunnerson is experienced in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder and provides multiple treatment options, including cold laser therapy, oral orthodontic devices, and myofunctional therapy so you can get out of pain and back to your life.

TMJ disorder explained

The temporomandibular joints are among the most complex joints in the entire body. Most joints, like elbows and knees, only move in one direction. However, the TMJs are designed to help your jaw move in a variety of directions so that you can properly chew, speak, and make facial expressions to communicate with others. Coupled with the fact that many people have a misalignment in their teeth and jaws or other problems that can place extra stress on these sensitive joints, TMJ disorder (also called TMD) strikes many people each year. It can cause a significant decline in your quality of life. While it can manifest in many different ways, some of the most common symptoms include:

• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when you open and close your jaw
• The feeling that your jaw is locked in place, either in the open or closed position
• The sensation that your bite is “off”
• Pain in the jaw or TMJ area
• Ringing in your ears
• Difficulty with chewing
• Dizziness that doesn’t have other causes
• Chronic headaches, earaches, or neck or back pain

Treatment options for TMJ disorder

While TMJ disorder can be caused by certain issues that are clearly identifiable, such as an eroded disc, cartilage damage, or joint damage, sometimes the cause of TMJ disorder is not clear. Dr. Gunnerson will listen to your symptoms and perform an in-depth evaluation to help determine what may be causing your pain. He will then work with you to determine the best treatment option for you based on your specific needs, preferences, and symptoms. Therapies for TMD that we offer at TMJ & Sleep Therapy of Utah include:

• An orthodontic device, which is a custom-made mouthguard that you wear to help properly align your jaw and reduce pain.
• Cold laser therapy, which uses a revolutionary new type of laser that emits light protons that penetrate deeply into the tissues surrounding the TMJs, where they help reduce inflammation, rejuvenate and heal surrounding tissue, and provide nearly instantaneous relief from symptoms such as headaches or migraines.
• Myofunctional therapy, which is therapy for the function of oral and facial muscles has been found to greatly improve swallowing, breathing and speaking abilities, especially in individuals who have had braces, tongue ties, or thumb sucking issues. With a series of exercises carefully designed for you, you can find relief from your TMJ symptoms with this customized treatment.

Don’t let TMJ pain get in the way of your daily life any longer. At TMJ & Sleep Therapy of Utah, we are here to help you find relief with the latest treatment options and therapies. Call us today at (801) 877-1126 to schedule your consultation or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

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