TMJ Treatment in Churubusco, IN
Find Relief for Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can have a significant impact on your daily life, from making it difficult to speak and eat to causing irritating soreness. The integrity of your jaw can impact your oral health, which is why seeking treatment for persistent jaw pain is crucial to your overall well-being.
At Turtle Town Dental, Dr. Bixler offers expert treatment for TMJ disorders to help alleviate jaw pain and soreness. Explore our TMD guide to learn more about this condition and how we can help treat it.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) develops when uneven stress or strain puts excessive pressure on the joints of your jaw, causing your muscles and joints to become irritated and inflamed. The teeth on your upper and lower jaws typically work in pairs, so when you chew or bite down, the pressure on your joints should be distributed evenly. TMD can occur when this pressure becomes uneven.
Causes of TMD
Determining the root cause of TMD may be difficult, as there’s a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of this condition. Dr. Bixler will work to determine the main cause of your jaw pain to best treat it.
Some common causes of TMD include:
- Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Poor bite as a result of crooked teeth (malocclusion)
- Jaw dislocation
- Facial or dental trauma
- Displacement or erosion of joint’s disk
- Joint cartilage damage from arthritis
Symptoms of TMD
If you face any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign of TMJ disorder. We recommend that you schedule an appointment at our Churubusco office if you experience:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Persistent head, neck, shoulder, or jaw pain
- Chronic migraines
- Ringing in your ears
- Bruxism
- Jaw popping and clicking
- Stiffness of the jaw
- Cracked teeth
TMD Treatments
In treating a case of temporomandibular joint disorder, Dr. Bixler and our expert team will focus on finding ways to realign your teeth and bite to reduce uneven strain on the jaw joints.
Some symptoms of TMJ may be reduced with certain exercises, medications, or mouthguards designed to hold the jaws in proper alignment. Other treatment options may include orthodontic care or the replacement of missing teeth, which can help to correct the underlying problem and thus provide long-term relief.
Mouthguard Solutions
Mouthguards are a common and effective treatment method for TMD. At Turtle Town Dental, we can create a customized mouthguard to help heal your TMJ. Mouthguards can also help reduce certain causes of jaw pain, such as:
- Misaligned jaw
- Bruxism or nighttime teeth grinding
- Bone or joint diseases like arthritis
- Jaw injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of untreated TMD?
TMD rarely resolves on its own, and if left untreated, its symptoms can grow much more severe over time. This could lead to chronic jaw pain and other painful symptoms, including:
- Arthritis of the jaw
- Injury to the jaw
- Connective tissue diseases
- Extensive dental damage due to teeth grinding
- Gum recession due to teeth grinding
Are TMJ disorders serious?
While the severity of TMJ disorders varies between patients, it can progress into chronic jaw pain if left untreated. This can make simple tasks like eating and speaking painful and difficult. No matter how serious your jaw pain is, it’s best to seek treatment to prevent any serious complications.
When should I seek treatment for jaw pain?
If you have persistent jaw pain or find that you can’t open or close your jaw completely, it may be time to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment at our Churubusco office at the first sign of a possible TMJ disorder. Dr. Bixler can assess your situation and work to find the best treatment for you.
Don’t Let Jaw Pain Run Your Life
Jaw pain can cause difficulty living life to its fullest. When you’re ready to seek treatment, Dr. Bixler and our experienced dental team are here for you. Call our Churubusco office at (260) 693-9300 to schedule an appointment. You can also fill out a contact form and a member of our team will be with you shortly. We look forward to helping you with all your dental care needs!
As one of the premier dental practices for dentures in Churubusco, Indiana, Dr. Bixler, Dr. Neese, and the team at Turtle Town Dental also provide award-winning dental & orthodontic care to patients from Fort Wayne, Albion, Columbia City, Avilla, Kendallville, Garrett & Ligonier.