TMJ Treatment in Massapequa, NY
Dr. Jay B. Lubliner offers TMJ treatment in Massapequa, NY. Call us today at 516-798-0223 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located on each side of the head to connect your jawbone to your skull. The TMJ acts as a sliding hinge each time you open your mouth to bite, chew, yawn, or speak. Because this joint gets so much use, when it’s not functioning properly, it can cause a great deal of pain. This is called TMJ disorder, or TMD.
There are three types of TMJ pain:
- Myofascial pain, which is discomfort in the muscles that control jaw function
- Internal derangement of the joint, which is often caused by an injury to the condyle, dislocated jaw, or displaced disc
- Arthritis, a degenerative inflammatory disorder that attacks the joints throughout the body, including the TMJ
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
No matter what the cause of your TMJ pain, you’re likely to experience a few of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Soreness and tenderness in the cheeks and jaw
- Pain or feelings of fullness in or around the ears
- Tightness in the jaw
- Popping or clicking when opening your mouth or eating
- Locking of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing
TMJ Disorder Treatment
The first step in treating TMJ disorder is to identify the underlying cause. Different types of TMJ pain require different types of treatments. Generally speaking, less severe cases of TMD can be self-managed with a soft food diet, cold compresses to alleviate inflammation, and avoiding extreme jaw movements. Moderate TMJ pain can be remedied with anti-inflammatory medication, Botox injections, and stabilization splints.
When TMJ disorder is severe or when other treatment options have failed, surgical treatment like jaw joint replacements may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorder
Does TMJ go away?
TMJ disorders may go away for some patients, but for others, it can worsen and cause permanent damage to the joint. This is why it’s a good idea to seek treatment if you experience chronic TMJ pain.
Is TMJ curable without surgery?
Yes, most patients find relief for TMJ pain without resorting to surgery. Stabilization splints and Botox injections in particular are quite successful for patients who haven’t had success with self-managed care.
Does TMJ show up on an x-ray?
If your TMJ pain is caused by injury or degeneration in the joint, we can see this in an x-ray.
Why does my TMJ hurt more at night?
TMJ pain is often caused by teeth clenching and jaw grinding, which many people do unconsciously in their sleep. These patients may wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning with sore jaws and headaches.
What is the difference between TMD and TMJ?
The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, while TMD is temporomandibular joint disorder—TMD occurs when the TMJ is causing pain. Many people refer to TMD as TMJ, which is where the confusion lies.
Call us today at 516-798-0223 to schedule your appointment.