Dental health focuses on more than just your teeth. Comprehensive dental care also includes support for maxillofacial anatomy, including the jawbones and temporomandibular joints.
TMJ and other oral health conditions can significantly impact quality of life. At Kardynal Dental, we believe our patients deserve the best life possible, which is why we're committed to providing holistic dental care, including TMJ treatment, to individuals throughout Shelby Township, MI.
Get the treatment you need. It’s time to start enjoying life again.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints, which are the joints on either side of the face that control the hinging and gliding movements of the jawbone. The acronyms "TMJ" or "TMD" are often used to refer to temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD is not a single concern. Instead, the term refers to a group of over 30 underlying conditions that cause dysfunction within the TMJs and the muscles that control them. These disorders lead to a variety of symptoms, such as:
TMJ disorders have a variety of different underlying causes and factors that can increase a person's risk of having or developing an issue.
Some of the most common causes, habits, and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of TMJ disorders include:
Treatment for TMJ disorders varies based on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition; approaches can range from noninvasive options, such as mouthguards and lifestyle changes, to orthodontics and surgery.
Effective TMJ treatment addresses the underlying cause of the joints' dysfunction. As several factors often contribute simultaneously to TMJ, determining the proper treatment approach (or combination of treatments) that comprehensively addresses all underlying issues can take time.
At Kardynal Dental, we prefer to start with noninvasive options.
Often called nightguards or splints, custom mouthguards for TMJ treatment are worn during sleep. They are designed to alleviate TMJ symptoms by:
Mouthguards are the most commonly recommended nonsurgical treatment for TMJ disorders, and many of our patients experience significant symptom relief.
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a small camera (called an arthroscope) is placed within your temporomandibular joints. This procedure allows doctors to view an individual’s anatomy, offer on-the-spot diagnosis, and administer necessary treatments.
Surgery as a treatment for TMJ isn’t common, but may be necessary for patients with more severe or complex TMJ disorders. Our dentists can provide patients with referrals when surgical treatment may be needed.
If you think you may have a TMJ disorder, we invite you to contact our office to schedule an appointment. During your call, our office team can help you determine potential costs based on your insurance policy. We also recommend communicating any accommodations you may need during your appointment to alleviate anxiety or stress.
During your consultation, our dentists will review your current lifestyle, any symptoms you’re experiencing, and past medical history before examining your teeth, occlusion (bite), dental wear patterns, maxillofacial structure, jawbone alignment, and joint function. At this time, we will also discuss your treatment options and help you determine whether a mouthguard or occlusal splint could alleviate your TMJ symptoms.
If our dentists determine that you have a TMJ disorder that can be treated with a mouthguard, we will take digital impressions (scans) and send them to our off-site dental lab for manufacturing.
Once your mouthguard is ready, you will receive a phone call from our office to schedule your follow-up appointment. During this appointment, you will try on your mouthguard and our dentists will make any final adjustments to ensure a comfortable, effective fit.
TMJ symptoms include:
Everyone responds to treatments differently. With mouthguards, patients often begin to experience relief after a few weeks of wearing them as instructed. More significant improvement typically occurs after about 6 weeks, and complete jaw stabilization is often achieved after 3 to 6 months.
Sometimes. TMJ treatment can be covered by dental insurance when it is considered medically necessary. However, every policy is different. Our office team can help you navigate your insurance to better anticipate out-of-pocket expenses.
Intense stress, jaw injuries, arthritis, chronic bruxism (teeth grinding), poor posture, excessive chewing, and misaligned joints.
Untreated TMJ disorders can lead to chronic pain, chewing problems, and, in the worst cases, permanent damage to the teeth caused by the excessive wear and tear of bruxism.
You can reduce TMJ flare-ups at home by resting your jaw with soft foods, avoiding gum, and applying warm or cold packs for 15- to 20-minute periods. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can also help alleviate pain symptoms.
