TMJ Treatment – Plano, TX
Soothing the Pain in Your Jaw
Among the many advanced dental services that we provide at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we’re particularly proud to offer TMJ treatment. Far too many individuals are forced to endure jaw pain and other unpleasant symptoms on a daily basis due to a TMJ disorder, but our team is here to help you find relief. If you have been dealing with TMJ-related issues recently, give us a call to start exploring your treatment options.
Why Choose Legacy Trails Dental of Plano for TMJ Treatment?
- Fully Personalized Occlusal Splints
- BOTOX® for Relieving Discomfort
- Multiple Dentists Under One Roof
What is TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder is an issue with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ for short). This joint is responsible for letting your mouth make the necessary movements for chewing, speaking, and any other necessary tasks. If too much stress is placed on this joint, or if it becomes injured, the result is a TMJ disorder. There are multiple possible causes for TMJ-related issues, such as physical trauma, unresolved bite problems, and unconscious grinding of the teeth.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
You may have a TMJ disorder if any of the following symptoms sound familiar:
- You have been experiencing pain in your jaw recently.
- Your jaw occasionally becomes locked in place.
- You have noticed a clicking sound when opening or closing your mouth.
- You have been suffering from headaches, neck aches, or back aches.
- You frequently hear a ringing in your ears.
- You have noticed a change in your bite.
Contact us immediately if you notice these symptoms so that we can take the first steps of diagnosing and treating the problem.
Types of TMJ Treatment
When you visit us for TMJ treatment, we’ll begin by asking about the symptoms that you have been experiencing. Then we will capture X-rays of your jaw in order to make a proper diagnosis. Once we understand your situation, we can point you toward the form of treatment that is best suited for you. Below is a brief overview of the solutions that we offer for TMJ disorder.
Occlusal Splint
If we find signs that you have been grinding your teeth at night, we may give you an occlusal splint to wear whenever you go to bed. This oral appliance will stop the upper and lower arches of teeth from making direct contact with each other, which will take some of the pressure off your jaw joints. On top of that, an occlusal splint can gently shift the jaw forward to help the TMJ find a better resting position.
BOTOX® for TMJ Treatment
While you may be aware of how BOTOX® is often used to address cosmetic issues like motion-related wrinkles, it can sometimes be used to relieve persistent jaw pain by helping strained muscles in the TMJ to relax. This can reduce tension in the jaw joints as well as the strain put on the teeth. Here’s a quick look at how BOTOX® can help many TMJ patients, but please feel free to contact the friendly staff at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano if you’d like to learn more.
What Is BOTOX®?
BOTOX injections contain a small amount of botulinum toxin, a chemical produced by a certain strain of bacteria that can restrict the movement of muscles. BOTOX® can help overworked muscles in the TMJ relax and reduce their ability to put strain on the rest of the facial anatomy, which can reduce issues related to TMJ disorder like chronic migraines, jaw tension, muscle spasms, and teeth grinding. After receiving the treatment, results can take several days to manifest and can last between three and four months, and retreatments can be safely administered as needed at our Plano office. The process can be completed in minutes and involves no recovery time, making it a fast and convenient solution for many TMJ patients. During your consultation at our Plano office, our dentist will discuss your symptoms and explain how many treatments can be expected to be necessary to achieve the desired results.
Are You a Good Candidate for BOTOX® for TMJ Treatment?
You may suffer from TMJ disorder if you experience symptoms like:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Trouble moving your jaw or opening your mouth
- Clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw
- Earaches or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Pain in the neck or back
- Difficulty or pain when eating
- Discomfort behind the eyes
- Changes in bite alignment
BOTOX® can be especially useful for those who suffer from issues like bruxism, jaw tension, muscle spasms, and facial pain caused by tense or overworked muscles. However, it is a temporary solution that may not be suitable or sufficient for patients who need to address the underlying causes of their jaw pain to achieve their desired results.
How Can BOTOX® Treat TMJ Disorder?
BOTOX® treatments can reduce TMJ pain by forcing the muscles attached to the jaw joints to relax. It can also help patients with TMJ disorders reduce the incidence and severity of headaches, enjoy better sleep, and prevent or reduce the damage caused by bruxism. A 2012 study found that BOTOX® significantly reduced pain associated with jaw movement for three months after treatment.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Is BOTOX® for TMJ Treatment Safe?
It’s normal to be concerned regarding whether BOTOX® is a safe option for treating TMJ disorder. After all, the procedure involves injecting botulinum toxin into the face. Fortunately, BOTOX® is generally considered safe as long as it is carried out by a trained expert.
BOTOX® does have a few possible side effects. For example, some patients experience headaches during the first 48 hours. On top of that, it’s not unusual for the injection site to be red, bruised, or sore for a while. Other potential side effects include mild nausea and temporary drooping in the eyelids. However, all of these symptoms are typically minor, and they should go away on their own after a certain amount of time.
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take?
There’s more than one type of TMJ treatment, so the timeline can vary from patient to patient. Here’s a look at what you can usually expect with the treatment methods available at our office:
- The exact amount of time you need to wear an occlusal splint is not set in stone. Some patients may only need to use their oral appliance for a few weeks, but for others, the treatment can take several months. Regardless of how long it takes, wearing an occlusal splint can ultimately help you achieve lasting relief since it is meant to address the root cause of a TMJ disorder.
- With BOTOX®, the actual treatment can often be completed in just 30 minutes. You may start to experience a decrease in your discomfort after a couple of days, but it can take up to 7 to 10 days for the full effects to become noticeable. You can normally expect to enjoy the benefits of a BOTOX® injection for about 3 to 6 months.
Can TMJ Disorder Be Treated Without Surgery?
Not only can TMJ disorder be treated without surgery, but it’s generally recommended that you do so whenever possible. Surgical solutions for TMJ disorder do exist, but they are usually only suggested after less invasive methods have already been tried. Oftentimes, a conservative approach with an occlusal splint or BOTOX® can help you find the relief that you deserve without the need for surgery.
Is TMJ Treatment Covered by Insurance?
The answer to this question depends on which insurance plan you have. Some insurance companies do not cover TMJ treatments at all unless they are required to by the state. On the other hand, some policies might help pay for such services, but there might be restrictions on what kinds of treatments are eligible for coverage.
It’s worth double-checking with your insurance company to confirm how TMJ treatments are handled under your current plan. Bear in mind that TMJ treatment could potentially fall under your dental insurance or your regular medical insurance depending on your insurance policy as well as the type of treatment you undergo.