Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
If you are experiencing jaw pain, chronic headaches, a clicking or popping in the jaw or ringing or pain deep in the ears, you may be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD.
The temporomandibular joints are the two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. They operate like hinges, sliding and rotating in front of each ear. When someone suffers from a disorder of the joints, it’s called TMJ. Bruxism — or teeth grinding/clenching — is frequently associated with TMJ, causing chronic tension headaches, neck/shoulder pain and a sore face and jaws.
The bottom line is that TMJ is often a painful condition that can damage the teeth and overall oral health, and a dentist will usually be the first healthcare professional to notice and diagnose it. Today, our TMJ dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christina Tenaglia, is sharing her expert advice on finding the best TMJ dentist to help reduce your pain and restore normal functionality as quickly as possible.
Do your research
The Internet contains a wealth of information on TMJ services and providers in your area. Be sure to research nearby dentist offices, checking their website, social media platforms and online reviews.
Check the dentist’s certification
Not all dentists have the proper training or education to treat TMJ disorder because TMJ and its treatments aren’t taught in the standard dental school curriculum. Look for a dentist like ours in Lansing, who has specialized knowledge and experience in treating TMJ and bite and jaw alignment.
Know available treatment options
TMJ treatment should be tailored to suit an individual patient’s specific case and needs.
Our East Lansing TMJ dentist will usually choose one of the following treatment plans, depending on a patient’s specific needs:
- Oral appliance therapy — Made of comfortable plastic, a customized oral appliance can help alleviate the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder by adjusting the lower jaw forward to relieve tension and inflammation in the jaw joints.
- Orthodontics – Making small adjustments to your teeth can help alleviate an unbalanced bite that can lead to TMJ symptoms.
- Jaw Surgery – No one loves the word surgery, and the good news is that usually, only rare or significantly advanced cases require jaw surgery to restore bite alignment and function.
TMJ Treatment in East Lansing and Okemos
The very first step in seeking treatment for TMJ and its symptoms is to reach out to Tenaglia Smiles to schedule a consultation. Our dental team, which is experienced in neuromuscular dentistry, will evaluate your overall oral health condition and then discuss treatment options with you. We will answer any questions you may have, provide a timeframe for treatment and explain treatment costs.
You don’t have to continue living with jaw pain and discomfort. Seek treatment with our expert TMJ dentist at Tenaglia Smiles by giving us a call at (517) 940-8684 to schedule a consultation today.