If you have chronic pain from a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, our dentists can provide special treatment to relieve your pain and symptoms. You can relax, knowing Dr. Justin Elikofer, Dr. Rodney Holcombe, and Dr. Sara Sheffield will take care of you and improve your health! Call to learn more about TMJ treatments in Tampa, Florida, at 813-972-9077 and schedule an appointment at Advanced Dental Associates.
TMJ Treatment Tampa
No More Jaw Pain, Teeth Grinding, & Headaches
Why Choose Advanced Dental Associates of Tampa Palms for TMJ Treatment?
- Quick Relief for TMD with Botox®
- State-of-the-Art TENS Machine Treatment
- Locally Owned & Operated Dental Office
TMJ vs. TMD
The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, or the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the head. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result due to several different factors, such as stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck or jaw.
Common TMD Symptoms
You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:
- Grinding, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
- Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn or chew
- A locked or stuck jaw
- Pain when chewing and biting
- Pain in the neck, shoulders or ears
- Frequent headaches
How We Can Help with TMD
Our dentists can help you determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment. Treatment for the TMJ will depend on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. TMD treatment may include jaw and facial relaxation exercises, lifestyle changes, restorative dental treatments, a mouth guard or nightguard, or the services detailed below.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments
A TMD can often stem from a misaligned bite that is placing an inordinate amount of pressure on one or both sides of the jaw. To fix this, we can make very small adjustments to certain teeth (reducing or adding less than a millimeter of enamel) to restore balance and allow the facial muscles to finally relax, which should halt symptoms.
Occlusal Splints
Teeth grinding is a common symptom of TMD, and it often occurs while a person is sleeping. An occlusal splint is a type of mouthguard worn only to bed that keeps the teeth protected while also slightly repositioning the bite to take the pressure off the overworked jaw joint. Some patients end up only needing to wear the splint for a matter of months before their jaw “resets,” while others may have to wear their splint perpetually to keep experiencing relief.
TENS Machine Treatment
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and while that is a mouthful, the way this service works is fairly simple. We apply small electrodes to the face, and these stimulate the muscles at the heart of TMJ pain. This can reduce inflammation, increase blood flow (which helps with healing), and provide some fast relief for those dealing with chronic pain.
Botox® for TMJ
You probably already know that Botox® can help smooth out fine facial wrinkles, but it can also be used to provide immediate relief from TMD. A few injections into strained and overworked jaw muscles can help them finally relax, stopping the unconscious movements responsible for the pain. The results typically last for about three to four months and allow a patient to remain comfortable while we provide a more long-term solution.