TMJ Therapy Takes Care of Chronic Jaw Pain & Headaches
Your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the name for the small hinges that are located in front of your ears, and they are what allow your jaw to move fluidly whenever you eat, speak, laugh, or yawn. Like other joints in the body, the TMJ can sometimes become strained or injured, leading to a variety of problems that extend well beyond the jaw. Dr. William Twohig is specially trained to diagnose and treat TMJ issues and can handle them right here in our Weyauwega office.
The Symptoms of a TMJ Problem
TMJ issues can be brought on by a number of factors, with the most common being stress, injury, arthritis, or a misalignment of the bite.
Problems with the TMJ can lead to symptoms such as:
- A stiff, painful jaw
- Clicking and popping in the jaw
- Chronic headaches/migraines
- Frequent earaches
- Unconscious teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back
How We Can Treat the TMJ
There are a number of non-invasive treatments that can be used to address TMJ pain no matter its cause, including:
- Ozone or Prolozone Injections: These can help strengthen and aid in the healing process of damaged or strained ligaments and connective tissues in the jaw
- Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment: If the TMJ is being affected by a misalignment in the bite, then Dr. Twohig can gently reshape a few key teeth so that they come together correctly. This will allow the joint to reach its natural resting position, which will enable the muscles to naturally relax and heal.
- TENS Machine: This device uses small pulses of electricity to massage strained muscles, increase blood flow, and flush out inflammatory agents around the jaw.
- Occlusal Splint: This is a custom-made mouthpiece that a patient would only wear to bed. It works by slightly shifting the jaw into a more natural orientation so the muscles can relax. It can also help protect the teeth from nighttime teeth grinding.
If any of the symptoms listed above sound familiar to you, your discomfort could be stemming from your TMJ without you even knowing it. To learn more about TMJ issues and how we can help you with them, contact us today.