TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hardworking joint that allows you to move your jaw, which helps you perform everyday tasks such as speaking and eating. Problems with this joint can make it difficult to eat and speak, plus cause facial pain or headaches that make everyday living uncomfortable. At Lubbock Dental Specialists, Dr. Graves and Dr. Wilkinson diagnose and treat TMJ disorders to help you live comfortably and restore proper function to the jaw joint. Contact our office in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, if you have a TMJ disorder or would like an oral health examination to explore your treatment options. 

What Causes a TMJ Disorder? 

The TMJ is the most constantly used joint in the body. It is located in front of each ear where the jaw and skull meet. Within the joint is a small disk made of cartilage that absorbs shock. Everyone has two joints, one on either side of the jaw, and a TMJ disorder may affect one or both of them. 

There is not always a clear cause for a TMJ disorder, and there may be more than one factor contributing to the problem. You may experience a TMJ disorder due to one or more of the following: 

• Injury to the face or jaw
• Damaged cartilage of the jaw joint from arthritis, dislocation, or erosion 
• Connective tissue disease that affects bony or soft tissues
• Chronic grinding or clenching the teeth, which adds stress to the joint and leads to disk damage
• Jaw or teeth misalignment 
• Muscle inflammation surrounding the joint 

Regardless of the cause, treating a TMJ disorder will benefit the function of your jaw and relieve you of discomfort caused by the disorder. 

Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder

A TMJ disorder often causes a variety of symptoms, which can include: 

• Jaw pain 
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth 
• Headaches or earaches 
• Jaw soreness or stiffness 
• Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Changes in your bite 
• Pain when touching the TMJ area 

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, we recommend contacting our office for an evaluation to see how we can manage your symptoms and treat the disorder. 

TMJ Treatment

To diagnose a TMJ disorder, we will take 3D scans of the face and jaws to examine the joint. We will almost always recommend non-surgical treatment methods first, as many TMJ disorders respond well to these conservative techniques. These may include wearing a night guard or splint, taking anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants, or physical therapy and stress management techniques. 

If non-surgical methods do not work, more invasive treatments may be necessary. Prior to any type of procedure, we will help you select the anesthesia option to ensure your comfort. Surgery to treat a TMJ disorder may include: 

• Arthrocentesis to clean the joint and reduce inflammation
• Arthroscopy to examine the joint with a small camera and repair it
• Open joint surgery 
• Corrective jaw surgery 

Schedule an appointment with our oral health experts to find the right treatment for your TMJ disorder and regain the ability to eat, speak, and live comfortably.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders at Lubbock Dental Specialists

Dr. Graves, Dr. Wilkinson, and the team at Lubbock Dental Specialists look forward to helping you find comfort from TMJ pain and improving your oral health. If you have TMJ pain or a TMJ disorder, contact us in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, to schedule a consultation and explore your treatment options.