TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can cause chronic pain in your face and make chewing difficult.
Sharp Smile Center can alleviate your jaw pain and other TMD symptoms with custom oral appliances.
Let our dentists in Portage, MI, help you alleviate your temporomandibular disorder today.
Customized TMJ Disorder Treatment
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can cause chronic pain that affects virtually every aspect of your life. You may find it difficult to eat certain foods, and the discomfort can spread to other parts of your body. At Sharp Smile Center, serving Kalamazoo and Portage, MI, Dr. Michael Sharp can diagnose temporomandibular joint conditions. Based on your particular symptoms and the cause of your discomfort, we can design a unique treatment plan to meet your needs.
At our practice, we often use oral appliances, such as stabilization splints, to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders by placing the jaw in its proper position. By adjusting the alignment of your jaw, your device can reduce pressure on your TMJs to ease inflammation and improve your oral function.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, allow you to open and close your mouth and make side-to-side movements. Through regular use, clenching, grinding, and other stresses, the temporomandibular joints often become strained because of pressure on the joint itself and surrounding tissues. In some cases, the tissue discs that cushion the insides of the TMJs can slip out of place, causing discomfort. The ligaments and muscles surrounding your TMJs can also become swollen, inflamed, and tender. In some cases, the condition will develop because of trauma or an underlying oral health issue.
Teeth grinding is one of the most common causes. This condition, also known as bruxism, is often the result of stress that causes the sufferer to constantly move and clench the jaw, particularly during sleep. Dental misalignment can also lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), since your imbalanced bite will place excess pressure on your joints. Other causes of TMD include missing teeth, dental erosion, poor posture, and facial trauma.
Find Relief From TMJ Pain
The TMJs, or temporomandibular joints, can become inflamed, overworked, and even damaged. If you experience regular grinding and pain, you may need TMJ treatment. Dr. Sharp uses custom oral appliances to release pressure on your TMJs and alleviate your daily discomfort.
Contact Our Office
If You're Experiencing TMJ Issues
Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint can cause pain that radiates through the face, neck, and in your shoulders.
If you are suffering from one or more of these TMJ symptoms, the dentists at our Portage, MI, dental office can help you manage your TMJ disorder. Without the proper treatment, the condition of your temporomandibular joints will worsen and can cause chronic pain.
Our dentists, Dr. Michael Sharp and Dr. Aoua Coulibaly, will examine your jaw to assess the nature of your TMJ problem. They will provide corrective treatment for your disorder.
Contact our Portage, MI, dental office online or call:
(269) 344-4004
Best dentist office I've ever been to everyone was friendly and professional. I am very happy with the work that Dr. Sharp and his team have done for me. Chris T.
Benefits of TMD Treatment
Pain Relief
In addition to chronic pain, TMJ disorder symptoms include clenching or grinding your teeth, tooth fractures, dizziness, and headaches. Treatment for your TMJ can end constant pain from temporomandibular disorders.
Dental Benefits
TMJ disorders can cause irreversible damage to your teeth and jaw joints if left untreated. Addressing TMJ issues can reduce your risks for tooth fractures and other kinds of wear and tear on your teeth.
Better Quality of Life
Constant pain in your TMJ can affect your mood and overall well-being. Not having to deal with constant headaches and a misaligned bite can greatly improve your outlook on life. Patients who undergo TMJ disorder treatment report a boost in their quality of life.
Diagnosing TMD
An evaluation of your symptoms is one of the most effective ways to diagnose temporomandibular joint disorders. Common symptoms include:
- Jaw pain, often radiating across the lower half of your face
- Stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Chronic headaches
- Ear pain
- Tinnitus, or ringing in your ears
- Popping or clicking sounds that accompany jaw movement
- Jaw stiffness (in severe cases, resulting in the inability to open or close your mouth all the way
Technology and techniques used to identify TMD include:
- Digital 3D x-rays
- MRI imaging
- Photos
- Health and trauma history
For the most accurate diagnosis possible, Dr. Sharp will conduct a complete review of your medical history and examination of your jaws. We will take a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 3-D x-ray to evaluate hard tissues like bone and teeth, and use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage that would be otherwise impossible to see. This technology can allow us to identify your needs and prescribe the right treatment.
If you are suffering from chronic jaw pain, we can help you achieve the lasting relief you need.
TMD Treatment at Sharp Smile Center
Dr. Sharp can deliver truly effective care tailored to your needs. Most often, we will provide an oral appliance, such as a stabilization splint, to reduce jaw pain and other symptoms. A member of our team will take impressions of your teeth, and Dr. Sharp will use that information to provide an appliance tailored to your exact measurements. Fitting over your teeth, the device will gently place your jaw in the correct position to relieve stress on the jaw joints.
In some cases, we may suggest additional treatment. For example, dental crowns can repair worn teeth, restore the natural force of your bite, and eliminate undue pressure on your joints. We can also use custom splints that help create a more comfortable resting position for your jaw, alleviating various symptoms affecting your TMJ.
Sharp Smile Center, serving greater Portage, will do all we can to provide relief through non-invasive treatments, but in some cases, patients with more severe TMD may require surgery or other solutions to treat their condition.
Paying for Treatment
Sharp Smile Center believes patients living with TMD pain should be able to afford dental treatment.
In addition to accepting most insurances, our Portage, MI, dental office offers financing through CareCredit® and LendingClub®. These options let patients pay for TMJ treatment over time.
We can discuss if you qualify for financing during your next consultation.
"A Great Experience"
Keri C
2022
From the check in/out process to the amazing hygienist and last but not least Dr.C. Every aspect of my dental care is out in my hands and everyone is understanding and nonjudgemental about when and what can be done.
View on GoogleAnca Tanase
2022
I had a great experience at Sharp Smile Center. The treatment was fast and painless, the communication was prompt and courteous. I am very happy with the results. I highly recommend the center for any cosmetic dentistry needs.
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