Experience the Benefits of TMJ Treatment
Our dental practice in Sacramento has been treating people with TMJ for many years, and we’re excited to share some of the most innovative TMJ treatment technology with you or someone you love who is suffering from TMJ. Maybe you’ve been researching TMJ symptoms and are looking for a treatment that works, or perhaps you just recently learned you have TMJ and are curious to see what TMJ dentists can do to help.
Regardless of what brings you and your family to our dental office, we are thrilled you want to learn more about effective TMJ treatment in Sacramento. You need not suffer any longer.
With TMJ treatment, you will experience less pain, better jaw mobility, improved sleep, more leisurely chewing and speaking, and a better quality of life. You may be a great candidate for TENS, or an oral appliance may be custom-made for your bite dysfunction. Several TMJ treatment modalities have been proven to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of TMJ.
Before getting into TMJ treatment, let’s first look at this disorder’s signs and symptoms.
TMJ Symptoms
TMJ often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed because many of the symptoms don’t seem to be related at first glance. Medical professionals without training in neuromuscular dentistry may not put the signs together as a disorder of the jaw joints.
One reason TMJ affects so many body parts is that the TM joints, which are located on either side of the face in front of the ear, move in three directions: front to back, side to side, and up and down. The TMJs are the only joints that move in so many different directions.
TMJ may cause any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Facial, jaw, or neck pain
- Migraines or chronic headaches
- Sore, loose, worn down, sensitive, or cracked teeth
- Stiffness or soreness in the upper body, including the neck, back, and shoulders
- Ringing in the ears or ear congestion
- Numbness in the fingers or tingling in the fingertips
- Limited jaw movement, locking of the jaw, clicking of the jaw, or inability to open your mouth fully
- Jaw clenching/grinding (bruxism)
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
- Depression
- Facial, jaw, or neck pain
- Migraines or chronic headaches
- Sore, loose, worn down, sensitive, or cracked teeth
- Stiffness or soreness in the upper body, including the neck, back, and shoulders
- Ringing in the ears or ear congestion
- Numbness in the fingers or tingling in the fingertips
- Limited jaw movement, locking of the jaw, clicking of the jaw, or inability to open your mouth fully
- Jaw clenching/grinding (bruxism)
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
- Depression
Untreated TMJ can cause serious issues, including:
- Inflammation
- Joint damage
- Chronic headaches
- Unrelenting jaw pain
- Sleep disorders
- Dental problems
- Poor quality of life
- Malnutrition
- Tinnitus
- Alcohol/drug abuse
- Inflammation
- Joint damage
- Chronic headaches
- Unrelenting jaw pain
- Sleep disorders
- Dental problems
- Poor quality of life
- Malnutrition
- Tinnitus
- Alcohol/drug abuse
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TMJ Treatment Technology in Sacramento
Once you’re diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD/TMJ), you can begin treatment right away.
- TENS: Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation delivers electrical impulses to the muscles that open and close your mouth. If your chronic TMJ happens because you clench or grind your teeth, TENS treatment can help your muscles relax. You can sit in the office and have TENS treatments; many patients experience immediate relief after the first TENS session. TENS is affordable, accessible, and only takes a few minutes.
- Electromyography sensors: This TMJ technology involves sensors that tell our Sacramento TMJ dentists whether your muscles are relaxed and your bite is aligned correctly. By listening to jaw movements, we can pinpoint where the problems lie.
- Orthotic devices: Once your jaw muscles are relaxed, we will look at realigning your bite to ease chronic jaw pain and other TMJ symptoms. We may design and create a custom-made oral al appliance to gradually move your jaw into its optimal position. Oral appliances for TMJ can be temporary and removable, or they can be permanent. Dr. Miyasaki will discuss which oral appliance is best for you and explain how often to wear it.
- Lifestyle/behavior modifications: A better mattress or pillow may help your symptoms. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime will help. Keeping a regular sleep schedule even when you don’t have to work the next day will likely help, and eliminating chewy, crunchy foods from your diet may help. You can do quite a bit at home to help reduce the painful signs and symptoms of TMJ.
Dental Treatment For TMJ
Restorative dentistry plays an important role in treating TMJ because many jaw problems are linked to how the teeth come together. When teeth are worn down, cracked, or missing, the bite loses balance and the jaw joints and muscles have to work harder. Restorative care focuses on rebuilding teeth to their natural height and replacing those that are missing so the bite can function smoothly again. Treatments like dental crowns, bridges, and implants restore proper alignment, stability, and support, easing the strain on the TMJ.
For patients with more widespread issues such as severe wear or bite collapse, full-mouth reconstruction may be recommended. This comprehensive approach can combine crowns, bridges, implants, and careful adjustments to the bite (occlusal equilibration) so that chewing forces are distributed evenly. By re-establishing harmony between teeth, bite, muscles, and joints, restorative dentistry not only improves function but also helps relieve symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, and soreness while protecting your long-term oral health.
Learn More About TMJ Treatment in Sacramento, CA
Please call Miyasaki Dental at (916) 442-8911 or fill out our online contact form to ask questions or request an appointment. Our TMJ dentistry practice in Sacramento can help you finally find relief from the painful symptoms of TMJ.
