TMJ and Myofacial Pain

 TMJ is one of four components in the jawbone, or masticatory system, which includes the jaw muscles and back and front teeth and helps you open and close your mouth. When this system is misaligned, you may feel varying degrees of discomfort or pain when you open or close your mouth. Patients who suffer from TMJ disorder may also experience clicking, sticking, persistent headaches, back pain, or chips and wear on the front teeth.

At Excellence in Dentistry, we have the extensive experience with TMJ and occulsal treatments to correct TMJ disorder. After a comprehensive oral exam, we will discuss our diagnosis and recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Medication

Our dentists may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and/or muscle relaxants to ease muscle tension in the jaw, face, and neck.

Splint Therapy

A splint is an appliance that realigns the jaw and related muscles to a more balanced position. Our dentists may recommend splint therapy to diagnose problems, relax muscles, or reduce joint and muscle pain.

Equilibration

Equilibration is usually performed after splint therapy. With this treatment, one of our dentists reshapes your teeth so that they hit evenly. An equilibration restores harmony to your bite and maintains your tooth structure.

If you think you may have TMJ disorder, schedule a complimentary consultation by calling our West Cottage Grove Road practice at 608.839.4554 or our North Sherman Avenue practice in Madison at 608.240.1001.