TMJ Treatment Austin TX Temporomandibular joint disorders affect the muscle and joints that control the jaw. Statistics show that at least 12% of people in the United States have at one point experienced TMJ disorders, with women being more susceptible than men.This particular joint is very complex and difficult to diagnose, and that's why you should consult the professionals at for top-notch dental service. It's important to schedule regular visits to the dentist and get all the pertinent information about the disorders from a reliable source. Temporomandibular Joint DisorderTemporomandibular joint dysfunction/Disorder, or TMD, is not just one condition but a group of them. Often painful, TMD affects the jaw joint, making it difficult to chew, open the mouth wide, yawn, or generally use the jaws. Pain or soreness in the ear's frontal region, along with the jaw muscle, cheek, teeth, or temples, may also accompany TMD. Sometimes, the jaws also make audible noises. Pain or discomfort in the jaw muscles or joints are often temporary, occurring in cycles. Once the affected person stops moving the area, the pain also tends to stop. In some cases, however, TMD can develop into chronic pain. TMJ Dentist Austin TXIf you find yourself suffering from TMD, please talk to us to help correct your issues. Our experts at Emily Ianno Zaramella, DDS have several different ways to help prevent TMD. Call our team at 512-328-4411 and we will figure out how to treat your tmj. What Is TMJ?As the name suggests, these are disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint specifically, and depending on the severity; they can cause a range of discomfort. If TMJ disorders are not properly diagnosed and treated, they can recur over time, causing discomfort. When a patient comes in for an oral exam, we can conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine if it's TMJ before moving forward with a treatment plan. TMJ disorders are caused by several factors such as arthritis, physical injury, dental surgery, and infections. There are also hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors that a dental expert can detect before the condition becomes more pronounced. The hormonal aspects of TMJ disorders form why women are more susceptible than their male counterparts. Regardless of the cause, a trained dental expert can detect signs of TMJ disorders before the damage becomes more severe. What Causes TMJ?TMD is commonly attributed to a severe jaw injury, an injury during a sporting activity, or jaw overuse such as excessive gum chewing. Also, physical and emotional stress can lead to TMD. Formerly, the practice of sitting in a practitioner's chair for a prolonged period with a wide-open mouth may have contributed to TMD. Nowadays, dentists allow for breaks during dental work and screen patients for jaw-structure conditions. Susceptible patients may also receive medications during the dental procedure to relieve pain and reduce any injury potential, and physical therapy following treatment may be recommended. For less serious cases, home exercises following dental procedures may be suggested. Emotional stress may also exacerbate TMD symptoms because the way stress manifests in the body can directly affect TMD. Patients who experience psychological stress may also clench their teeth, an activity that is directly related to TMD.  TMJ SymptomsThe most obvious symptom is a pain every time the patient moves the jaw, and it may present itself in the form of migraines, headaches, backache, neck ache, and earaches that spread to the cheek area. If the patient doesn't exhibit signs of severe pain elsewhere around these areas, the dentist will check for other symptoms of these disorders before diagnosis. Jaw Pain and Facial SwellingAlthough not all noises produced when moving the jaw are a sign of TMJ disorders, that's why a regular visit to the dentist is recommended. Another painless but common symptom is an unusual popping, grinding/bruxism or clicking sound that occurs while talking, eating or performing other oral functions. Teeth Grinding and Chronic HeadachesIf you experience pain alongside sounds when you move the jaw, you should first stop at the dentist's office rather than pharmacies.Other symptoms range from restricted jaw movement to ringing or buzzing of the ears, all of which can be diagnosed by the experts at . Other Painful Symptoms of TMJOther symptoms of TMJ can include pain behind the eyes, feelings of numbness in the arms and fingers, pain in your neck, back, or shoulders, pronounced change in how the upper and lower teeth fit together, swallowing difficulties, hearing problems, and even dizziness. TMJ disorders can affect the entire body.  TMJ Treatment OptionsOur professionals may ask you to do a few simple things to properly diagnose you with TMD. First, we may ask you to put three fingers in your mouth and bite down on them to diagnose TMD. You may also be asked to open and close your mouth and chew repeatedly. At this time, our professionals will monitor your jaw joint dimensions and the balance of the jaw muscles. If you can easily perform these activities, TMD may be ruled out as the cause of your symptoms. Our professionals will then search for signs of inflammation and any abnormalities. Special imaging in the form of an x-ray or an MRI may also be necessary to confirm or dismiss the diagnosis. Proper Diagnosis and Custom Appliance TherapyIf you are diagnosed with TMD, our professionals may suggest the employment of chiropractic manipulation, massage, heat or ice therapies, as well as specially designed exercises. In the majority of cases, the initial aim of tmj treatment is to alleviate the symptoms. Experience TMJ ReliefAssuming our professionals determine that you require any special appliances such as mouthguards, nightguards, or splints to offset teeth clenching and grinding, our dentist will refer you to an orthodontist or other specialist to coordinate the care of your symptoms and treatment. There are many more symptoms that may lead our professionals to believe you are suffering from TMJ. TMJ Specialist in Austin TXTMJ disorders can go for a long time without being detected or treated, but coming in for checkups can help prevent them from deteriorating your oral health. Contact Emily Ianno Zaramella, DDS at 512-328-4411 and schedule an appointment with the experts. |
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512-328-4411 zaramelladds@gmail.com LOCATION 901 S. Mopac Expy Building 2 Suite 395 Austin, TX 78746 |
