You may spend most of your life unaware of the important little triangular-shaped joints located in front of your ears. The temporomandibular joints are lined with cartilage to create a smooth, gliding motion. Under normal conditions, they allow you to open and close your mouth easily; however, stress or an improper bite can cause the joints to dysfunction, leading to a variety of symptoms. The highly sensitive nerve endings in the joint can make it difficult to chew, speak, or even yawn without pain and discomfort. This is known as a TMJ disorder. Dr. Gary N. Pointer offers the relief you need with TMJ treatment in Fort Worth.
When stress causes strain on the joints, it can lead to an array of symptoms, such as jaw pain, tenderness, and swelling. It is common to have a grating, grinding, clicking, or popping sensation when opening or closing your mouth. Your jaw may even lock into an opened or closed position. Symptoms of the disorder are not localized to the joint. In fact, you may have headaches, ear pain, or neck pain.
Dr. Pointer discusses your symptoms and examines your joints to check for any abnormalities. He takes x-rays and uses other diagnostic imaging to looks for any concerning issues that may be occurring beneath the surface. Based on his findings, he creates a customized treatment plan to improve your jaw’s function to stop your pain.
The disorder can be caused by several issues, such as a poorly aligned bite, past injury to the joint, or arthritis. Dr. Pointer identifies the underlying cause to give you the relief you need using a customized treatment plan.
If an improper bite is placing strain on your jaw, Dr. Pointer can make minor adjustments by slightly reshaping your teeth. This allows your teeth to come together in a more functional manner when you close your mouth. By relieving the pressure, it helps to stop your pain. Dr. Pointer takes an impression of your mouth to determine your trouble spots to pinpoint the exact areas that need to be reshaped.
An occlusal splint is often used to treat limited jaw function using a small mouthpiece. It is custom-made using an impression of your mouth for your comfort. The splint moves your jaw into a more natural position while you sleep. Over time, your jaw is retained to rest in a more comfortable position to improve your jaw’s mobility.
Dr. Pointer provides the appropriate treatment you need to enhance your jaw’s function while stopping your discomfort. Besides conventional treatment, he suggests many changes to make at home, such as eating softer foods, alternating chewing between both sides of your mouth, and stress-relieving exercises. This allows your joint to heal to improve your quality of life.
If TMJ pain is interrupting your day, you can get the relief you need with your dentist in Fort Worth. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for TMJ therapy.
