TMJ Treatment – Michigan City, IN

Helping You Overcome Your Jaw Pain

Woman visiting dentist for TMJ treatment in Michigan City, IN

You rely on your temporomandibular joint – TMJ for short – whenever you speak or chew your food. But if there’s a problem with your TMJ, it could lead to constant discomfort and other issues. The good news is that our team at Edgewood Dental is trained to identify TMJ disorders and devise ways to treat them. If you are struggling with jaw pain or other TMJ-related symptoms, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Why Choose Edgewood Dental for TMJ Treatment?

Personalized Occlusal Splints
BOTOX® Treatments Available
Skilled, Gentle Dental Experts

What is TMJ Disorder?

Woman on couch with TMJ disorder in Michigan City, IN

The TMJ is a complex joint, and under certain circumstances, it may become injured or suffer from an excessive amount of strain. If that happens, the result is a TMJ disorder. The exact cause of the problem can vary from patient to patient. Common risk factors include stress, habitual grinding and clenching of the teeth, sudden blows to the face, and so on.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Man in bed with TMJ disorder in Michigan City, IN

TMJ disorder often leads to chronic jaw pain. It can also make biting and chewing specific foods more difficult than normal. In certain cases, you may notice migraines or headaches, and you could even experience earaches as well.

Depending on how severe it is, TMJ disorder might limit your ability to move your jaw. You may even find that your mouth periodically gets stuck in an open or closed position. On top of that, it’s not unusual for the alignment of your bite to change.

Types of TMJ Treatment

Male dental patient sitting in chair and smiling

There’s more than one way to treat a TMJ disorder. To narrow down the method that’s right for you, we will first need to carefully examine your mouth and jaw joints. (X-rays will likely need to be captured to give us a full picture of the problem.) We can then give you a recommendation for treatment based on the severity and underlying cause of your disorder.

Occlusal Splint

Close-up of gloves holding an occlusal splint

Occlusal splints are oral appliances that resemble mouthguards. They can relieve some of the pressure on your TMJ by helping the jaw find a better resting position. On top of that, they can also protect your smile from the effects of teeth grinding, which is a major risk factor for TMJ disorder.

Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustment

Female dental patient smiling and sitting in chair

Did you know that the way your teeth line up can potentially put an unnecessary amount of strain on your TMJs? Our team can make small adjustments to your teeth so that they meet in all the right spots, thus restoring balance to your bite and giving your TMJs a chance to recover.

Treatment with a TENS Machine

Male dental patient in green shirt smiling in chair

A TENS machine gives us a way to reduce your TMJ-related pain, thus keeping you more comfortable until the root of the problem can be dealt with. This treatment works by using electrical pulses to stimulate the muscles and nerves around your jaw joints, causing the body to release more endorphins (also known as natural painkillers).

BOTOX® for TMJ Treatment

Woman receiving a BOTOX injection in the jaw

BOTOX® is sometimes suggested for reducing tension in the jaw. A single BOTOX® injection can temporarily stop your jaw muscles from making certain unconscious movements, thus helping them relax. The effects of a BOTOX® treatment for a TMJ disorder can often last for months at a time.