TMJ Treatment in Winchester, VA

Get Professional TMJ Therapy At Tolley Dental

Did you know that TMJ facial pain affects 15% of Americans? That amounts to a massive 10 million people with TMJ disorders! If left untreated, TMJ disorders can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, and irreversible damage to your teeth in the long run.
The good news is that Tolley Dental is a leading expert in providing patients with professional TMJ treatment. Our practice aims to improve your quality of life with effective, affordable, and advanced dentistry solutions.

What Is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short, is supported by the muscles in your lower jaw and face. These muscle groups are connected to your temporal bone on both sides of your head. When functioning normally, these flexible joints glide effortlessly within the socket whenever you open your mouth.
TMJ disorders occur when your muscles exert excessive force on your jaw joints, resulting in pain, stiffness, or worse, dislocation.

What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ?

TMJ is difficult to diagnose on your own, so if you experience any signs of discomfort in your jaw area, you should consider getting them checked by trusted dental experts. TMJ patients report the following symptoms:

• Grinding during sleep
• Gum swelling
• Jaw stiffness
• Pain in the face, neck, or jaw
• Uneven bite
• Tooth fractures
• Popping or clicking sounds
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Sleeping problems
• Lack of jaw mobility

What Are The Different Types Of TMJ?

During a dental examination, it’s important for us to classify what type of TMJ disorder you have so we can find the best course of treatment. Sometimes, patients can have one or more of the following conditions:
Mild Myofascial Discomfort – This condition involves muscle pain when using your jaw to function.
Internal Joint Derangement – A more serious condition implies dislocated discs which damage the condyle.
Degenerative Arthritis – Severe conditions have inflammation present in the temporomandibular joint.
If you suspect you have TMJ, it’s important to remember that most mild symptoms will go away on their own. But for more serious cases, we highly recommend getting the advanced care you deserve at our practice.

What Are The Different TMJ Treatment Options?

Based on your symptoms and dental exam results, we’ll use the information to offer a wide range of options. Depending on our findings, we may recommend some conservative or invasive treatments, including:
Home Care Routine – For mild TMJ, you’ll be asked to eat softer foods, minimize jaw movements, and practice gentle jaw relaxation techniques with massages or stretching.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications – For moderate cases of TMJ, we suggest getting pain relief through over-the-counter medications, muscle relaxants, or Ibuprofen.
Stabilization Splints – For severe TMJ disorders, we create a plastic mouthguard that fits over your upper and lower teeth. These can be used to minimize teeth grinding while sleeping and help your jaw muscles relax.
Jaw Joint Implants – In rare cases, jaw joint implants may be recommended to restore damaged jaw joints.
Surgery – As a last resort, procedures like arthrocentesis, arthroscopic surgery, or open-joint surgery may be performed. Since complications are quite common, it’s important to get an informed opinion beforehand.

Receive The Best TMJ Disorder Treatment at Tolley Dental

If you’re looking for long-lasting relief from TMJ disorders, our dentistry professionals will be happy to help. At Tolley Dental, we have years of expertise in helping our patients manage their TMJ symptoms with our advanced care services. Book an appointment with our team today for the best TMJ treatment in Winchester, VA!