TMJ Treatment in Lakeway, TX
Over 10 million Americans suffer from oral health issues, including severe pain in their temporomandibular joints. Also known as TMJ, these joints are located on each side of the head, just below the ear. When these joints work how they’re designed to, the bones, muscles, and surrounding ligaments are used to help us chew and speak. When this area is interrupted, we can struggle with eating, chewing, teeth clenching, grinding, and more.
What is TMJ Disorder?
At Lake Travis Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Lakeway, TX, our goal is to educate our patients. TMJ refers to medical conditions that affect the joints, facial nerves, and muscles. TMJ is often caused by a jaw injury, arthritis, or a misaligned bite.
TMJ Signs and Symptoms
Lake Travis Family & Cosmetic Dentistry recognizes that women are much more likely to suffer from TMJ than men. Our dentists want our new and existing patients to be aware of the signs and symptoms that TMJ presents. Some of the most common signs are listed below:
- Jaw pain when chewing, yawning, or eating
- Tenderness in the jaw or surrounding muscles
- Pain in or around the ear
- Chronic headaches or neck aches
- Jaw soreness that peaks in the morning or late afternoon
- Sensitive teeth
- Difficulty closing or opening the mouth
- Clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth
How Our Dentist In Lakeway, TX Diagnoses TMJ
Lake Travis Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will perform an exam of your jaw and face to rule out other oral health issues, such as a toothache or cavity. We do this because there isn’t a standard test to check for TMJ, so our job as dental professionals is to ensure that there isn’t an alternative underlying issue.
If we think you may have TMJ, our team will likely take x-rays or make a mold of your teeth to check for bite or misalignment issues. We’ll look into your oral health history to check for red flags or possible reasonings behind the symptoms you may be experiencing.
