Dentist in the Centerville, Ohio, area offers treatment for patients with TMJ symptoms

At Alex Bell Dental in Centerville, OH, patients are urged to ask their dentist about any conditions or problems that may arise that cause concern. A condition that often involves the jaw joint and becomes problematic for many adult patients is that of TMJ or TMD. TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint,” the jaw joint that hinges the upper and lower jaw together. It can become dysfunctional, resulting in a more chronic condition referred to as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. The symptoms of this condition are easy for our dental team to spot, and our dentist, Dr. Daniel Cobb, can evaluate a patient for TMJ or TMD and provide effective treatment options.

What is TMJ/TMD?

The hinge of the jaw in the corners of the mouth, known as the temporomandibular joint, can sometimes become an issue for patients. These conditions are often characterized by symptoms such as:

• Clicking and popping of the jaw
• Pain and discomfort radiating from the jaw joint
• Muscular pain around the jaw joint
• Locking of the jaw in the open or closed position
• Chronic migraines and headaches
• Pain radiating down the neck to the shoulders
• Bruxism (clenching and grinding of the teeth)

Patients who believe they may have this condition due to present symptoms are urged to visit their dentist for a full evaluation to see if they can get a proper diagnosis. Once diagnosed, TMJ and TMD are often treated with oral appliance therapy.

Understanding oral appliance therapy

If not properly aligned, the jaw joint can become an issue and result in conditions such as TMJ and TMD. A simple fix for patients with mild to moderate issues with the jaw joint is to address it with the use of a special appliance. Oral appliance therapy is the name of the treatment often used for patients who have been diagnosed with TMJ and TMD. This is the use of a special mouth guard-like device worn by the patient at night to help align the jaw and protect the teeth from the tension that may be caused by coexisting conditions such as bruxism. When patients wear these appliances, it can alleviate the stress on the joint and provide effective reduction of pain and discomfort in and around the jaw area. This is a wonderful, non-pharmaceutical option for our patients to consider when they are diagnosed with this condition.

Who is a candidate for oral appliance therapy?

Most patients are able to obtain an oral appliance from their dentist as soon as they have received a diagnosis of TMJ and/or TMD. Patients can ask questions about the treatment and determine if it is appropriate for them. For patients with more severe and chronic cases of TMD, the last resort option for treatment if oral appliance therapy is not effective is actually surgical intervention. Luckily, many of our patients who have received this diagnosis have been able to achieve results with oral appliance therapy alone. This eliminates the need for over-the-counter or prescription pain medications to help patients manage their condition.

How do I receive a diagnosis to discuss treatment?

Diagnosis of TMJ and/or TMD is often done with the help of a trained dentist who has experience in spotting the signs of this disorder. Sometimes, the diagnosis can be made with a patient’s description of their pain and experiences alone, while other times, the dentist may notice wear and tear on the teeth, which may indicate a problem with the temporomandibular joint. Patients and dentists can discuss symptoms and decide if a diagnosis can be made.

Discuss treatment for TMJ with Dr. Daniel Cobb

The team at Alex Bell Dental in Centerville, OH, is here for you. We encourage patients struggling with the symptoms of TMJ or TMD to connect with our staff of professionals to find out how they can reduce the discomfort and pain often associated with these conditions. Call the office today to make an appointment at (937) 435 7311 and visit our office at 900 East Alex Bell Road. We encourage patients in and around the community to work with our team and find out how they can not only address conditions such as this but improve oral health and wellness with general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care solutions available in our state-of-the-art facility.