TMJ & TMD Treatment in Paris TX

Causes and Symptoms

When a person eats they shouldn’t experience any pain or popping as they chew. The normal movement of the jaw should be smooth and silent. The joint that connects the jaw to the skull is called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. This joint works like a hinge and allows the jaw to move up and down. If the jaw shifts out of proper alignment this can cause a disorder called a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. 

When the alignment of the jaw is off this causes pressure on the nerves that pass through the face and jaw. This can cause the nerves to become irritated. When this occurs a person may experience several different symptoms including:

• Pain or tenderness in face, neck, or ears.
• Jaw pain
• Pain when chewing, biting, or talking
• Popping or clicking sound when chewing or talking
• Swelling in the face
• Ringing in ears
• Teeth sensitivity 
• Worn down or chipped teeth
• Persistent headaches

If a person is suffering from any of these symptoms it’s important to contact Paris Family Dental immediately. Ignoring TMD can lead to more problems including chronic migraines and severe damage to the teeth. At our Paris TX office, we know the importance of treating TMD and offer several different services for our patients.

Treatment for TMD

Knowing the cause of a patient’s TMD is important to choose the best treatment option for them. There are many things that can contribute to TMD. Some of these include:

• Trauma to the jaw
• Stress
• Grinding or Clenching 
• Body tension
• Tooth alignment problems 
• Constant gum chewing
• Braces
• Arthritis

When a person comes into our office complaining of the symptoms related to TMD, Dr. Del Toro works with them to find the cause. Treatment of TMD requires pinpointing the causes and taking all the factors into account. Dr. Del Toro will help assist each patient in deciding what is the optimal treatment for them based on their condition. Below are the treatment options offered at our Paris TX office.

Orthotics

One of the most common causes of TMD is teeth grinding or clenching. One treatment option for patients that grind or clench is to have a nightguard made that will be worn when they sleep. When a patient wears the night guard it helps reduce the damage caused when they grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. If Dr. Del Toro recommends a nightguard, impressions are taken and a custom made night guard is fabricated in the lab.

Techniques to Reduce Stress

Stress is a big reason why a lot of people experience body tension and grind or clench at night. Constant stress can lead to constant tension and can eventually pull the TMJ out of alignment. One way to reduce stress is to try different relaxing techniques. Dr. Del Toro can teach each patient a variety of easy habits that can help reduce stress in small, but effective ways.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Tooth alignment and a person’s bite can have a lot to do with their jaw alignment. If a person’s bite is off it can cause discomfort, the bite to shift, and misalignment with the jaw joint. Sometimes the bite can be off due to severely worn teeth, missing teeth, or injury. A full mouth reconstruction may be needed to restore the teeth and bite to normal. This is done by the use of crowns, bridges, or dental implants.

Surgery

If a person is suffering from severe TMD, surgery may be needed to restructure the TMJ. Surgery is usually needed if other treatments are ineffective.

If a person is experiencing persistent symptoms that could be caused by TMD, it’s important for them to contact our Paris TX office to schedule an informative consultation. Dr. Del Toro will discuss with the patient their symptoms, probable causes, and provide a treatment plan. At Paris Family Dental our top priority is to provide the highest standard of care for all our patients.

For all of your family, cosmetic, or restorative dental needs, we invite you to contact Paris Family Dental. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (903) 732-0061! Visit us at 2333 Lamar Ave, Paris, TX 75460 to learn more about our team, our practice, and how we provide excellence in dentistry in our area.