Overcome TMJ Disorder (TMD) with Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

Jaw health is vital for speaking and talking with ease. So, if you have locked jaws, jaw soreness, and constant headaches, you may have a jaw problem, and you should treat it immediately. Have you heard about temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)? It’s not another sign of getting older — TMD affects patients of all ages, and the cause is usually stress and teeth grinding. 

The good news is that TMJ disorder is treatable. If you are troubled by TMJ pain in Payson, Utah, Dr. Cheyn Gunnerson and his team at TMJ and Sleep Therapy of Utah can help you overcome your pain.

Understanding TMJ disorder and its symptoms

We all have temporomandibular joints (TMJs). You can attest to this by gently placing your fingers on both sides of your face, just in front of your ears. This area is where the upper jawbone (maxilla) and the lower jawbone (mandible) meet. As you open your mouth, you’ll feel the TMJ move.

When the TMJ is healthy, you rarely notice its presence. However, when this joint is inflamed, strained, or injured, ordinary activities like yawning, chewing, and talking become a source of pain. 

Some of the common symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Clicking, popping jaw
• Morning headaches and migraines
• Difficulty opening the jaws
• Painful chewing
• Ear and face pain
• Jaw pain
• Nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching
• Chipped, cracked, or flattened teeth

The symptoms above mimic numerous other conditions, so TMJ disorder often remains mis or undiagnosed for years. That’s why you need to visit a TMJ specialist like Dr. Gunnerson for a proper diagnosis and effective treatment.

Effective treatment for TMJ pain

Dr. Gunnerson diagnoses TMJ pain by taking your full medical history and examining your teeth and jaws with cutting-edge technology. Although there is no standard test for TMD, digital X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can help pinpoint problems in the jaw system.

Most TMJ cases can be treated with the non-surgical options below.

• Oral appliance therapy — An occlusal splint can reposition your jaw and protect your jaw muscles from bruxism-induced pressure
• Orthodontics — Straight teeth lead to even distribution of chewing pressure, reducing jaw strain
• Jaw exercises — These exercises reduce pain and improve jaw function
• Cold laser therapy — We can use revolutionary light technology to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief

Struggling with TMJ pain in Payson, UT? Please dial (801) 877-1126 to schedule an appointment with TMJ and Sleep Therapy of Utah for pain relief.

Share this Article