TMJ Treatment

Relieving Jaw Pain

Living in pain can be a miserable feeling and may even disrupt your life. If you are experiencing a TMJ disorder, Cary Smiles can provide you with exceptional care and relief through TMJ treatment. Our goal is to deliver an effective and efficient solution that alleviates your symptoms while also fitting into your lifestyle to bring you peace and comfort. Dr. Shah and our team are here to find the right TMJ treatment for you.

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What Are TMJ Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull on each side of your face. TMJ disorders include 30 conditions that cause pain surrounding the jaw joint including muscles, ligaments and nerves. It can bring on immense discomfort, produce swelling and tenderness and create difficulty chewing or speaking. TMJ disorders are extremely common, with a recent study finding more than 11 million U.S. adults experiencing temporomandibular joint pain. Additionally, women are twice as likely to have temporomandibular disorders compared to men.

Reasons For TMJ Pain

There isn’t exactly one specific cause for TMJ pain—most people report seeing symptoms develop out of the blue. However, new research suggests there are many factors at play when developing temporomandibular disorders:

Jaw clenching
Teeth grinding
Genetics

Life stressors
Jaw injury or trauma
Arthritis

Symptoms Of A TMJ Disorder

At Cary Smiles, we know that every person is unique, and your symptoms for a TMJ disorder may look different than someone else’s. Since there are so many different types of conditions represented by TMJ, the symptoms vary widely but may include:

Tenderness
Headaches
Facial pain
Toothache

Pain around the jaw
Discomfort while chewing
Pressure in the temporal lubes
Popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth

Occlusal guard for teeth grinding tmj treatment

TMJ Treatment Options We Offer

At Cary Smiles, we are dedicated to finding a TMJ treatment that works for you. The type of treatment will depend on several factors including the cause of your pain and the severity of your condition. Dr. Shah is happy to offer a variety of treatment methods and come up with a personalized plan that will provide you relief and comfort. Here are some of the TMJ treatment options we may consider for you:

Occlusal Guard For Grinding

Occlusal refers to the part of your teeth that you use for chewing. If you grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism, you may benefit from an occlusal guard. These are also called mouthguard or nightguards and help protect your teeth from wear and tear if you grind, especially while you sleep. This also serves as a treatment for TMJ because the proprietary material of the guard helps reduce the muscle tension and keep your jaw in the correct alignment. At Cary Smiles, we utilize custom, 3D-printed guards to ensure an exact fit.

Splint Therapy

At Cary Smiles, we may use a custom made oral appliance, known as a splint, to help reduce pressure on the TMJ joint that causes you pain. Dr. Shah will take impressions of your teeth in order to craft the appliance that fits precisely in your mouth. It works by stabilizing your bite and making sure your teeth are properly aligned.

TMJ Botox® Therapy

We are happy to offer our patients TMJ Botox® Therapy as a non-surgical, noninvasive treatment option to alleviate pain. It is highly effective, with one study showing that 90% of individuals who participated in Botox® treatment for a TMJ disorder found relief. Dr. Shah will inject Botox® into your face, which will help the facial muscles relax and lessen spams in the joint.

Request Your Appointment For TMJ Treatment

Cary Smiles is here to help you find relief with TMJ treatment. Whether you are experiencing severe headaches, difficulty chewing, facial pain or something else, we pride ourselves on creating a personalized treatment plan that helps you feel your best! Contact us today in order to get your treatment started at our Cary, NC office by calling (919) 233-3545 or filling out our convenient online form.

Our Patients Are At The Root Of Everything We Do

We are committed to delivering a positive dental experience for every patient, every time. Our warm and welcoming team fosters a relaxing, comfortable environment that feels like home. We use cutting-edge technology, such as digital X-rays, scans, and 3D-printed appliances, to ensure your comfort and provide exceptional care. Request an appointment today!