TMD Treatment in Stuart, FL – Aesthetic Dentistry of Stuart

Treating TMD

WE CAN Help

Jaw pain or stiffness? Chronic headaches or migraines? These can be symptoms of TMJ disorder (TMD). You don’t have to live with this pain. Let us guide you to a life change.

Dr. Amy Crary examining jaw scans with patient

WHAT IS TMD?

You have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connecting your lower jaw to your skull, and when the chewing muscles, jaw joints, and bite do not work together in harmony, pain is the result.

The exact cause of TMD is not always clear, but there are some signs that put people at increased risk of developing it. A misaligned bite can cause the disc between the ball and socket of the joint to become dislocated, causing improper joint function and pain. Arthritis of the TMJ can develop due to injury or wear over time. Bruxism, or clenching and grinding your teeth, can lead to TMD.

Examining your jaw for signs of a TMJ disorder (TMD) allows us to get down to the root cause and tailor a treatment plan for your specific needs.

Common tmd symptoms

Just as no two people are alike, neither are two TMD cases. There are, however, some common symptoms of TMD, including:

Popping or clicking sounds in the jaw when opening, closing, or chewing
Consistent pain or tenderness of the jaw or face
Pain while biting or chewing
Chronic headaches or migraines
Pain in one or both TMJs (temporomandibular joints) which are located just in front of the ears
Pain in the ear or a feeling of ear congestion or ringing
Jaw joints locking or stopping the mouth from moving easily

Treatment solutions

Accurate diagnosis is the first step to personalized care. Our 3D imaging allows us to visualize the TMJs and evaluate for structural abnormalities. Electromyography and jaw tracking allow us to evaluate the muscular activity to accurately diagnose TMD and create the most effective treatment plan for your case. We have a variety of treatment solutions for TMD:

Phase 1 Treatment

We stabilize the jaw in its proper, balanced position through orthotics combined with adjunctive therapies such as TENS and the MLS laser. Along with in office treatment, patients can perform exercises at home to improve their jaw positioning and overall posture.

A TENS (transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation) Unit allows us to address jaw alignment issues by bringing the jaw into a more balanced position. Using gentle electrical stimulation, it relaxes the neck and head muscles to stimulate the release of endorphins and soothe the pain.

MLS Laser Therapy is another non-invasive treatment solution. By using various wavelengths, the laser penetrates the tissue, boosting cellular activity. This activity increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing.

Phase 2 Treatment

We establish a new and improved bite position for long-term health through orthodontics and restorative dentistry.

We will also make suggestions of steps you can take in your daily life to reduce your symptoms and pain. These suggestions might include:

• Eating soft foods
• No chewing gum
• No foods requiring a lot of chewing
• Chewing on both sides of your mouth
• Moist heat application to sore areas for 5-10 minutes
• Gentle massage

Connect WITH US

We look forward to meeting you. Call (772) 463-4026 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.

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tmd Treatment