TMJ Treatment With Dr. Michael Firouzian, Columbus TMJ Dentist
If you experience jaw pain, face pain, or suffer from unexplained headaches, you may have a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The joint that controls the motions of your mouth is extremely powerful and very complex. Stress on the joint, caused by malocclusion, a misaligned bite, can be bothersome and painful. Problems with your TMJ can lead to many other disorders that are seemingly unrelated to your jaw.
Some of the signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
- Headaches
- Unexplained pain in the face, jaw, or teeth
- Clicking or popping jaw
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Locking jaw
- Tension in the shoulders, upper back, and neck
- Chiropractic adjustments that do not last
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Headaches
- Unexplained pain in the face, jaw, or teeth
- Clicking or popping jaw
- Locking jaw
- Tension in the shoulders, upper back, and neck
- Chiropractic adjustments that do not last
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
TMJ treatment options vary greatly depending on the underlying cause for the malocclusion and the severity of the pain and discomfort. Columbus TMJ dentist Dr. Michael Firouzian will carefully evaluate what is causing the TMJ disorder and create a treatment plan, starting with the most conservative options first.
Minor TMJ Treatment Options
Many cases of TMJ are minor and can be treated either at home or with minor interventions by a dentist or physical therapist.
- Modifying your eating habits, such as eating softer foods
- Applying hot and cold packs
- Avoiding excessive jaw movement
- Physical therapy, including TENS
- Exercising the jaw
- Modifying your eating habits, such as eating softer foods
- Exercising the jaw
- Applying hot and cold packs
- Avoiding excessive jaw movement
- Physical therapy, including TENS
The first goal of TMJ treatment is always to alleviate your symptoms. We can often do this during your office visit with TENS, a form of electrical massage that relaxes your muscles and alleviates many of your immediate symptoms.
Our next goal is to ensure your symptoms do not return. Sometimes, the above treatments are adequate and will be recommended. Other times, we need to look for more advanced treatments.
Longer-Term TMJ Treatment Options In Columbus
Once the conservative treatment options have been tried and your bite is stabilized, Dr. Firouzian may recommend treatment to correct your malocclusion problem. Some of these TMJ stabilization treatments include:
- Orthodontics
- Splints and orthotic devices
These treatment options are designed to realign your jaw in its proper position to alleviate the pressure placed on the jaw joints.
Major TMJ Treatment Options In Columbus, OH
When other treatment options do not relieve the symptoms of your TMJ disorder, Dr. Firouzian may elect a surgical approach. This may include:
- Dental crowns to build up teeth
- Tooth extraction
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns to build up teeth
- Dental implants
- Tooth extraction
These treatments will only be utilized if a thorough study of your jaw, teeth, and muscles shows them to be necessary for your long-term health. The highly trained, friendly team at Dr. Michael Firouzian’s office will be happy to answer any questions you have about treating your TMJ disorder and providing information on various TMJ treatments in Columbus, OH.
In the most extreme cases, you may be referred to a surgeon for jaw joint surgery.
If you want relief from your TMJ pain and discomfort, please contact Columbus, Ohio TMJ treatment dentist Dr. Michael Firouzian at Firouzian Dentistry today. Call (614) 848-5001 today.