TMJ Treatment – Falls Church, VA
Don’t Force Yourself to Live with Jaw Pain
It’s estimated that around 10 million Americans have a TMJ disorder – a condition that occurs when there’s a problem with the joints responsible for the movement of your lower jaw. TMJ disorders are closely associated with chronic jaw pain; it’s best to have the problem treated quickly before it causes your quality of life to take a turn for the worse. Get in touch with DentaCrafters PLLC today to see what options are available for TMJ treatment in Falls Church.
Why Choose DentaCrafters PLLC for TMJ Treatment?
- Carefully Personalized Occlusal Splints
- TENS Machine Treatment for Pain Relief
- Orthotic Treatment for Jaw Alignment Issues
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
You might have a TMJ disorder if you have noticed any of the following symptoms lately:
- Pain around your jaw joint.
- Facial pain or neck pain.
- Having trouble moving your jaw.
- Ringing in your ears.
- A change in your bite.
Sometimes TMJ disorder is also accompanied by a clicking or popping sound. However, if you notice such sounds but are not experiencing any pain or limited jaw movement, treatment likely isn’t necessary in your case.
Our Options for TMJ Treatment
Once you have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, how can you have it treated? The answer can vary since there are multiple issues that can lead to problems with the jaw joints. Below are some examples of how our team can help you find relief from your TMJ pain.
Equilibration / Occlusal Adjustments
Your bite may not fit together correctly due to certain teeth. Correcting these alignment issues could help relieve some of the strain contributing to your TMJ disorder. As such, we may suggest an occlusal adjustment, which typically involves removing a small amount of enamel from certain teeth so that the upper and lower arches fit together properly.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a simple oral appliance that can be worn over the teeth. It can be used to address TMJ disorder in a couple of different ways. First, it can help stabilize your bite and take some of the stress off your jaw. Second, it can protect the teeth from clenching and grinding, which are often connected to TMJ issues.
TENS Machine Treatment
A TENS machine uses low-voltage electrical currents to stimulate your nerves, which can block pain signals from being sent to your brain. When used to treat TMJ disorder, a TENS machine can help the muscles in your jaw relax to alleviate your pain. A single TENS treatment often lasts around 30 minutes.
Orthotic Treatment
The position of your jaw may be to blame for your TMJ disorder. As such, we may suggest an orthotic treatment, which involves a special orthopedic appliance that helps move the jaw to where it’s supposed to be. The appliance will be worn for 24 hours a day, and it will be adjusted as your bite changes to ensure that your treatment stays on track.