Say “TMJ,” and most people think of a harmless popping or clicking in the jaw. For patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, however, you know the symptoms can be anything but harmless. Our jaw joints are composed of many working parts—bones, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles—and improper function in any of those parts can affect every associated movement. When you think about how often we open and close our jaw in a day, it’s easy to understand how TMJ disorder can become a living nightmare.
Are you fed up with your TMJ dysfunction? Contact Texas Oral Surgery Specialists to find out whether your symptoms can be resolved with oral surgery. Surgery is not right for every case, but Bedford oral surgeon Dr. Chris Tye can assess your unique situation and determine whether it may be of benefit. Call us at 817-552-3223 to make an appointment.
Dysfunction in any of the moving parts of the jaw can lead to a host of painful symptoms: jaw pain, pain in the facial muscles, headaches, migraines, neck pain, and more. It can even cause you to clench and grind your teeth in your sleep, so you wake each morning with throbbing pain in the temples. In the worst cases, it can affect your ability to eat and speak properly. For patients with severe symptoms, TMJ disorder can seriously affect your quality of life.
Many Treatment Pathways
Luckily, there are many approaches to treating TMJ disorder nowadays. For patients with bite problems, orthodontic treatment may have a positive effect on the function of the jaw. Tooth loss can also affect how the muscles and jaw bones work together, so prosthetic tooth replacement may also help. Muscle relaxation techniques and Botox may help in certain cases, as might occlusal splint therapy or an oral appliance. In the most severe cases, however there may be the need for oral surgery.
TMJ surgery can accomplish many tasks to restore proper function to the jaw joints. Each case and surgical plan may be unique, depending on the cause and pathology of your joint dysfunction. As an oral surgeon, Dr. Tye has the knowledge and qualifications to assess the functionality of your maxillofacial structures; if you suspect your TMJ dysfunction cannot be corrected with more conservative therapies, make an appointment and we will give you answers! Dr. Tye will do a full diagnostic review of your anatomy and symptoms to determine whether surgical intervention may be able to restore proper function.
Is My Pain Caused by TMJ Disorder?
In addition to dental problems, TMJ disorder can also be caused by injuries to the face and jaw, arthritis, infections, or autoimmune diseases. Beyond the tell-tale popping or clicking many (but not all) patients experience, TMJ symptoms may include:
- Pain near the ears
- A feeling of tightness near the jaw joints
- Waking up with a headache
- Waking with your jaw clamped shut
- Difficulty chewing properly
- Muscle fatigue in the face or jaw
- Pain when chewing
- Tooth erosion, cracked molars, widespread dental problems
Do you suspect your symptoms are caused by TMJ disorder? The only way to know for sure is to have your jaw function assessed by a doctor with specialized knowledge of maxillofacial anatomy and function.
Contact Texas Oral Surgery Specialists
If you suffer from TMJ disorder, Dr. Chris Tye can help you seek relief. Dr. Tye always likes to start with the most conservative treatment options first, so he will conduct a thorough exam and medical history interview to learn what you’ve already tried. Depending on your unique case, he may recommend oral surgery to restore proper function to your temporomandibular joints.
Do you need a Bedford oral surgeon to correct your TMJ dysfunction once and for all? Dr. Chris Tye runs his practice out of Colleyville, TX, so he is in the prime location to help patients in Bedford, Keller, Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Call our office today at 817-552-3223 to make an appointment.
Texas Oral Surgery Specialists – Your Bedford Oral Surgeon Can Make TMJ Pain a Part of Your Past
