What kind of doctor should I See for TMJ?
Who Treats TMJ? Since 1936 TMJ has been primarily treated by dentists, however today, we know TMJ to be a complex condition with many biological systems (circulatory, digestive, endocrine, exocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal) playing a role, indicating the need to bring the medical and other allied health professionals in research …
Which Doctor do you see for TMJ?
Treatment options for TMJ Pain Applying ice packs to the area of the joint to reduce inflammation Avoiding chewing gum and eating soft foods Stress management and relaxation techniques A physical therapist will be able to recommend some physical therapy exercises such as gentle self-stretching or... ...
Why is my TMJ not getting better?
Feb 05, 2019 · A general practitioner may also prescribe prescription pain relief drugs that can provide temporary relief until you are able to see a TMJ specialist. General and Cosmetic Dentists are among the first to be alerted to jaw pain in their patients and they too can recommend someone whose sole focus is to treat TMJ.
What does TMJ feel like?
Aug 20, 2020 · The kind of doctor you should see is a TMJ doctor. If you’ve been having any TMJ pain at all, the doctor will be able to help you, and if your pain has been accompanied by other symptoms like headaches or jaw clicking, the doctor may be able to resolve all of these symptoms. To do so, it can help if the doctor knows what’s responsible for your pain and other …
What causes facial pain?
For example facial pain can be a symptom or a result of conditions, such as: sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain), tumors. connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Scleroderma.
What is connective tissue disorder?
connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Scleroderma. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advises patients to look for a health care provider who understands musculoskeletal disorders (affecting muscle, bone and joints) and who is trained in treating pain conditions.
What is TMD in medical terms?
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are complex medical conditions that can be caused and compounded by numerous other conditions and underlying causes. TMJ disorders can impact a number of areas, including pain in your jaw, teeth, face muscles, neck, ears, headache, and more.
What is an OMS?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) also specialize in treating diseases associated with the head and neck. These surgeons focus specifically on the muscles, joints, and ligaments in the maxillofacial region. Surgery, however, is rarely required to effectively treat the vast majority of TMJ disorders. General Practitioners are often asked about ...
Can a neurologist treat TMJ?
For example, if your TMJ disorder is causing headaches, a neurologist may be able to help coordinate treatment. If your TMJ disorder is comorbid with another condition, such as sleep apnea, Dr. Phillips can work in conjunction with a sleep physician in order to provide comprehensive care.
Can a dentist prescribe TMJ pain medication?
A general practitioner may also prescribe prescription pain relief drugs that can provide temporary relief until you are able to see a TMJ specialist. General and Cosmetic Dentists are among the first to be alerted to jaw pain in their patients and they too can recommend someone whose sole focus is to treat TMJ.
Can jaw pain be a symptom of TMJ?
Phillips have specialized knowledge of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint and can prescribe the correct treatment. While jaw pain is the most obvious symptom of a TMJ disorder, other symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, ear fullness, vertigo, and others, the source of the problem is often ...
So what doctor do I see for TMJ pain?
The kind of doctor you should see is a TMJ doctor. If you’ve been having any TMJ pain at all, the doctor will be able to help you, and if your pain has been accompanied by other symptoms like headaches or jaw clicking, the doctor may be able to resolve all of these symptoms.
How does a TMJ doctor treat TMJ pain?
In some cases, simple TMJ massages, stretches, and exercises can alleviate pain and other symptoms. These activities can reduce TMJ stress and tension, relieving everyday pain and even flare ups, and also preventing some issues from occurring in the future.
What can you tell me about your TMJ doctors?
For over 30 years, our founder and primary TMJ doctor, Dr. Rod Willey, has been helping patients with their dental and TMJ issues. His experience includes advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry, orthodontics, and oral appliance therapy, and today the doctor wants to help people like you with their TMJ pain, other symptoms, and sleep problems.
Do you have a TMJ doctor near me?
We very likely do, as Koala® Center for Sleep & TMJ Disorders has multiple locations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin. We’d be happy to speak with you and see you for a consultation, so we welcome you to contact us today.
What is the best treatment for TMJ?
Some examples of common treatment is a bite splint, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, or bite equilibration. If TMJ pain is left untreated, it can lead to chronic issues. That bad because its often increasingly more difficult to treat later in life.
How to tell if you have TMJ?
Most people are unsure where to turn as the first step for TMJ treatment because the symptoms affect several body parts. The most common symptoms of TMJ pain that patients complain of include: 1 Muscle fatigue when eating 2 Lock Jaw and Jaw locking 3 Chronic headaches or migraines 4 Jaw popping or clicking 5 Neck and shoulder pain 6 Diffuse pain along the sides of the face 7 Tinnitus or Ringing in the ears 8 Teeth clenching or grinding 9 Pain when biting directly on back molars 10 Eye pressure
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
The most common symptoms of TMJ pain that patients complain of include: Muscle fatigue when eating. Lock Jaw and Jaw locking.
How to treat TMJ pain?
TMJ patients often first try self-treating with painkillers, and google jaw stretches to try to relieve the pain. While these treatments may work temporarily to relieve TMJ and TMD pain, they are not consistent because they do not correct the primary source of TMJ pain.
What is the cause of TMJ pain?
Psychologists: TMJ symptoms are linked to stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If a psychological disorder complicates TMJ pain, a psychologist may be involved to help reduce psychological triggers.
How long does it take for TMJ pain to go away?
When to See a TMJ Specialist. While sometimes flareups from TMJ pain may be temporary, do not allow your symptoms to linger longer than a month. If your symptoms have persisted for over a month and are worsening, it is highly unlikely that your issues will dissipate without effective intervention.
Can TMJ cause nerve pain?
Neurologists: Nerve pain can be a component of TMJ disorder. In some individuals, the nerves of the head and neck sense pain when there is no painful stimulus. When TMJ pain is of neurologic origin, your TMJ dentist may refer you to consult with a neurologist.
The Best Type of Doctor to See for TMJ Pain
If you’re experiencing TMJ pain, you should see a dentist. Dentists don’t just treat your teeth—they’re specialists who are trained in the anatomy of the jaw and diagnosing dysfunction in the bite.
What Sets TMJ Plus Wellness Center Apart
As you might guess from our name, TMJ Plus specializes in TMJ pain—but we do much more than that. We take a holistic approach to temporomandibular joint disorders. Your body works as a system and when one part is not functioning properly, it causes an imbalance that has wide reaching effects.
Other Specialists Who Can Help With TMJ Symptoms
We offer a wide range of treatment options for our patients because TMJ disorder can have a number of causes and each must be addressed differently. Often, we put together a custom treatment plan that involves a few therapies for optimal results.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Coats
If you’d like to find out if TMJ disorder is the cause of your chronic pain, contact us today at 817-481-6888 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Coats.
Be Informed and Beware
The treating community remains in chaos and controversy about TMJ treatments. The advice we must still offer patients is – you may get better on treatments; you may be unaffected by treatments; you may even get better in spite of treatment, or you may get worse.
Learn More about Treatments
The following are treatments often recommended to patients as well as helpful resources to provide guidance in making your health care decisions.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Avoid trying to open to the jaw completely
- Apply cold compress to reduce swelling and pain - apply for 20- 30 minutes using an ice pack wrapped in a towel
- Keep the head of your bed elevated to reduce swelling
- Try OTC pain relievers
- Try having a soft/mashed food diet to avoid excessive chewing movement
- Intensity of pain keeps increasing
- Difficulty while eating or sleeping
- Signs of swelling
See a doctor immediately if you notice:
- Persistent pain or tenderness in the jaw
- Inability to open or close the jaw completely
- Chest pain
- Foul smell from the mouth
- Severe pain while chewing or drinking
- Pain due to a fall or accident
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Alternative Medicine
