TMJ Treatment Virginia Beach
Get Relief from Painful Jaw Problems
Headaches. Migraines. Facial Pain. Sound familiar? These symptoms may stem from a neuromuscular misalignment. Because the head, neck, and teeth are all interrelated, problems originating in the lower jaw and jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ), can cause a variety of issues in other areas. These issues aren’t something you should shrug off; with TMJ treatment in Virginia Beach, Dr. Morgan can intervene to ensure that they don’t cause any lasting or long-term problems for your smile or the rest of your body!
Why Choose Hampton Roads Center for Cosmetic Dentistry for TMJ Treatment?
- Various Personalized Treatments for All Patients
- Modern, Upscale Dental Office with Advanced Technology
- Expert Neuromuscular Dentist with 25+ Years of Experience
What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on alleviating distress in these structures to provide relief from a number of symptoms including:
- Headaches or migraines
- Clenching and grinding (also known as bruxism)
- Receding gums
- Crowded or loose teeth
- Wear or notches at the gum line
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Pain in shoulders, neck, back, behind the eyes, and in teeth
- Earaches
As a neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Morgan can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and recommend therapies for relief.
A wide range of pains and problems arising in the teeth, face, neck, and head originate from improper functioning of muscles and nerves. Neuromuscular dentistry involves discovering and treating misalignment or malfunction in the muscles and nerves of the jaw.
Headache & TMJ Treatment
If we discover a problem with jaw alignment, the first step in treatment is a custom orthotic appliance. This neuromuscular appliance holds your jaw in its correct alignment. After three months, we reassess the problem and determine whether or not the orthotic appliance has alleviated symptoms. Sometimes further therapy is required, and we might suggest orthodontics, restoration of tooth arches, or bite adjustment. For many people, Dr. Morgan can provide permanent, drug-free headache relief in just a few appointments.
TENS Machine
Thanks to a number of technological advancements, our neuromuscular dentistry treatments can help restore proper jaw function and alignment. First, we use a Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation, or TENS, unit to assess neuromuscular problems. The TENS unit delivers low-frequency electrical impulses to the muscles that control jaw movement, causing them to relax. Our BioPack machine records the relaxed position of the jaw, so Dr. Morgan can determine the best way to permanently correct the problem.
Orthotic Devices
Orthotic devices serve a very unique and important purpose when it comes to alleviating TMJ issues. They are specially designed mouthguards worn over the teeth for people who grind their teeth or have other sorts of problems affecting these joints. They help to both relax the jaw muscles and reposition the jaw into a healthier, ideal position. This in turn can discourage grinding, teeth clenching, and other forms of excess stress on the jaw joints.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Is TMJ Treatment Expensive?
There's no flat fee for TMJ treatment because every situation is unique. We believe your financial situation shouldn't stand in the way of overcoming your jaw pain. We will create the personalized plan you need for your health results. Often our patients say that there is no money worth the price of good health.
Can TMJ Be Treated Without Surgery?
Most TMJ cases can be treated non-surgically by using appliances and orthodontics. Surgery is reserved for patients with severe cases of TMJ, and other methods of treatment have failed. This can be the case for patients with TMJ caused by structural abnormalities or damage to the joints.
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
Every case differs. Some patients can go many months or years with no symptoms with the right treatment. Some patients can benefit from permanent relief, depending on the underlying cause and treatment approach. For example, if your TMD is caused by a bad bite, braces can create harmony between the upper and lower arches to resolve your symptoms once and for all.
How Long Does TMJ Therapy Take?
There's no set timeline for TMJ therapy. Some patients benefit from relief within a few days or weeks, such as when using an oral appliance or jaw-strengthening exercises. Others can take several months to achieve maximum results, like when needing braces.
Can TMJ Issues Be Fixed with Braces?
Not all TMJ disorders can be resolved with braces, but there are many times orthodontics can fix the problem. If there's a poor relation between your upper and lower teeth, it can cause strain on your temporomandibular joints. Fixing your bite will relieve the pressure to stop your symptoms, but it's a gradual process. It's time well spent to stop your pain while improving your oral health.