TMJ & TMD Treatment in Princeton, NJ
Relief From TMJ Disorder
Patients who suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMD) know exactly how debilitating it can be. Not only can TMD make talking, eating, and smiling unbearable, it can cause permanent damage to the structures of your face and throat, including your teeth, jaw, and gums if left untreated.
Fortunately, Dr. Cortese can offer his patients relief for their straining jaw muscles through effective oral appliance solutions. Our oral appliances offset the pressure on your bottom jaw, relieving pain and restoring comfortable jaw operation.
What Is Temporomandibular Disorder?
Temporomandibular disorder is a condition that results from a weakened temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your TMJ is responsible for the movement of your lower jaw. While TMD can occur due to a number of factors, common causes of the disorder include the inability to relax your jaw, or constantly grinding and clenching your teeth.
Symptoms of TMD include:
- Tinnitus (consistent ear ringing)
- Frequent jaw popping or clicking
- Chronic ear, neck, shoulder, jaw, face, and head pain
- Inability to relax your jaw
- A stiffened jaw (lockjaw)
- Jaw clenching or grinding (bruxism)
Treatment For TMD
For many patients with TMD, oral appliance therapy offers a means of simple, yet effective treatment. Oral appliance therapy involves the use of custom-made, comfortable appliances that Dr. Cortese designs with your specific needs in mind. The appliance is worn overnight and fits comfortably in your mouth, allowing your jaw to relax and heal on its own.
To increase the efficacy of your TMD treatment, Dr. Cortese is likely to prescribe a combination of oral appliance therapy and treatments such as physical therapy, pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing medication, or lifestyle changes. For more severe cases, he might recommend additional treatments such as acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS therapy), or jaw surgery.
Treatment for Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding can put extreme pressure on your TMJ, causing TMD and symptoms similar to TMD. During your semi-annual exams at Princeton Prosthodontics, Dr. Cortese will examine your teeth for signs of bruxism and if he detects the condition, he can prescribe the appropriate therapy.
To relieve the symptoms of Bruxism, Dr. Cortese is likely to prescribe an oral appliance in the form of a comfortable mouthguard you’ll wear overnight. Your mouthguard will help absorb some of the pressure caused by grinding teeth and can even guide your jaw into place so your TMJ can rest and heal properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else can cause TMD?
Other possible causes of TMD include:
- Dental misalignment or trauma
- Jawbone misalignment or trauma
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Excessive nail biting or gum chewing
Will TMD go away on its own?
Every case of TMD is different. Depending on the underlying cause, symptoms may go away on their own within a few weeks. In other cases, symptoms may take months or years to clear up. Sometimes, symptoms worsen with time.
Because TMD can occur due to many different causes, each with differing levels of severity and longevity, it’s imperative to have a professional like Dr. Cortese provide a thorough examination and an accurate diagnosis. If you’re experiencing possible TMD symptoms, call our Princeton, NJ office at (609) 552-0800 or fill out and submit a contact form.
Find Relief From TMJ Pain at Princeton Prosthodontics
At Princeton Prosthodontics, Dr. Cortese and his team offer effective solutions for TMD and bruxism. Through the use of oral appliance therapy and other helpful techniques, Dr. Cortese can target your specific symptoms so you can live your life without pain and discomfort.
To learn more about our TMD and bruxism solutions, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cortes at our Princeton, NJ office, dial (609) 552-0800 or submit a completed contact form.
