Consider a TMJ Dentist for a Healthy, Pain-free Smile

Suffering from jaw pain? Often down with headaches whose cause is unknown? The culprit could be temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder (TMD) patients often don’t realize it first because the symptoms are so varied, and they continue to suffer while trying short-term or ineffective remedies. Dr. Mark Johnson has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ pain. If you suspect you have TMD, please schedule an appointment with Mark W. Johnson, DDS, in Albuquerque for a free consultation.

What Does TMJ Pain Feel Like?

The TMJ is a hinge-like joint found on either side of the skull, which helps your mouth open and close when talking, yawning, or eating. Because we rely on these joints for several movements, they can cause a great deal of pain when they malfunction.

Besides the joints themselves, muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments surrounding these joints may be impacted by tension and misalignments. As a result, TMD doesn’t cause pain in the joints only—the effects manifest in your mouth, head, and beyond.

The common symptoms of TMD include:

• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Pain in the neck and shoulders
• Popping noises when opening and closing your jaws
• Locked jaws
• Pain when grinding or chewing

If you experience one or a combination of the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Johnson to learn about your treatment options. Often, your dentist resolves your TMD without recommending jaw surgery.

How We Treat TMJ Disorder in Our Office

If you leave your TMJ untreated, the condition won’t get better over time. In fact, it will only get worse, needing costly and invasive treatments down the road. You don’t have to go through this. A dentist specializing in TMJ pain, like Dr. Johnson, can offer a customized treatment plan to help you overcome your TMJ disorder.

A customized dental splint is usually the first line of treatment if the cause of your TMD is teeth grinding. A dental splint allows your sore jaw muscles and ligaments to relax, which reduces TMD discomfort. A dental device also protects your teeth from damage if you suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism).

Dr. Johnson may also recommend the treatments below to complement Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT):

• Orthodontic treatment to correct bad bites
• Jaw exercises to restore jaw mobility and strengthen the muscles
• Lifestyle changes, including eating soft foods and reducing chewing
• Stress management techniques such as yoga

TMJ Treatment Near Me in AlbuquerqueTired of living with relentless jaw pain and headaches? Please dial (505) 922-9511 to schedule an appointment with Mark W. Johnson, DDS, for TMJ pain relief.