Our team has a very specialized approach to helping our patients recover from the debilitating pain of TMJ disorders. The temporomandibular joint, also known as the jaw joint or TMJ, plays a large role in the day-to-day functions of your mouth and, as such, is susceptible to the development of joint disorders, also called TMD, which can cause significant jaw pain and/or immobility of the jaw. Freedom from the pain caused by TMJ disorders can vastly improve our patients’ quality of life. At our practice, your overall health and well-being is a priority, so once we confirm a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, we do everything we can to develop and implement a successful plan for your long-term recovery.
Drs. Chris Winterholler and Patrice Winterholler have years of experience diagnosing and treating disorders of the temporomandibular joint and neuromuscular conditions. Treating a TMJ disorder is a delicate process, and our number one goal is to provide you with a long-term solution that gets you out of pain. Our training in neuromuscular dentistry, combined with our sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools, allows us to pinpoint the cause of your pain and relax your jaw, possibly for the first time in years. Since each TMD case is unique, each TMD treatment plan is also unique. Our TMD treatments have enormous success for our patients in the reduction or even complete elimination of pain associated with the jaw joint.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, you may require treatment for TMJ disorder:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Earaches, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears
- Difficulty or severe pain when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening the mouth
- Jaws locking or catching when opening and closing the mouth
- A locked jaw joint, making any movement of the jaw unbearably painful
When it comes to your bite, you need three things for balance: well-positioned teeth, healthy muscles, and a functional temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We utilize many sophisticated instruments and cutting-edge technology to find the position of the jaw where the joints, teeth, and muscles will operate in harmony.
Splint Therapy
Splint therapy is one of the proven treatment options for TMJ disorders that we offer. We use a Myo-Monitor to stimulate the jaw with a mild electric impulse which relaxes the muscles and increases blood flow to the area. Then, we record your jaw position in three dimensions using advanced K-7 diagnostic jaw tracking technology. We will use this resting position to create a custom splint which can be worn at night to stabilize the jaw in its new position. Many people are delighted with the results of the splint alone, or in some cases, we may recommend additional treatment with orthodontics or restorative dentistry. Our doctors will discuss the options with you during your consultation and explain every facet of your personalized treatment plan in detail.
Dental Work for Your Bite
Sometimes we approach treatment for our TMD patients by providing certain dental work to help make it easier for patients to change old jaw habits that are causing disease in the jaw joint. If your tooth alignment is incorrect, your jaw joints can be thrown out of alignment, and you may experience significant discomfort. Dr. Chris or Dr. Patrice can remove small amounts of tooth enamel from strategic locations without affecting any tooth structure for a more comfortable and functional bite.
Tooth bonding is another tool to improve your bite. It uses a white malleable substance to add to a tooth’s shape or size, improving the way it meets its opposing tooth. If a tooth needs significant reshaping, a porcelain crown may be recommended. Since we have our own dental lab on site, we can complete your customized crown procedure in one visit.
Neuromuscular Dentistry for TMJ Treatment
Patients with facial pain, a misaligned bite, or a TMJ disorder are ideal candidates for neuromuscular dentistry, but it can even be beneficial for patients with well-balanced bites. Whether you have problems chewing, singing, swallowing, yawning or speaking—or are interested in cosmetic improvements—neuromuscular dentistry can uniquely address your needs. Whatever neuromuscular issue you’re struggling with, numerous neuromuscular dentistry techniques can potentially address it. As qualified neuromuscular dentists, Drs. Chris and Patrice Winterholler can follow up on any TMD diagnosis and give you customized TMD treatment using neuromuscular techniques in conjunction with other sophisticated treatment options we provide at our practice.
TMJ Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ, and Payson, AZ
Various treatments for the discomfort and immobility of a TMJ disorder are offered at our two Central Arizona locations. If you suspect you have a TMJ disorder or if you have questions about the TMD treatments we offer, please feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation. Thank you for the opportunity to help you get out of pain and begin living life to its fullest again!
