TMJ Dentist in Austin, TX
Relieve jaw pain, headaches, and joint inflammation.
Great Teeth, Better Life
When your mouth isn’t happy, your body won’t be happy either.
A sore jaw, painful headaches, stiff neck muscles, and other aches and pains may all have a surprising dental cause: inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, also known as TMD or TMJ.
This joint, located in the jaw, allows your mouth to open and close. It’s used constantly, whether for eating, speaking, laughing, or just opening and closing your mouth. Unfortunately, it’s also very susceptible to inflammation, which may be caused by:
- Stress
- Tooth grinding
- Misalignment of the teeth
Even chewing gum or poor posture may contribute to TMJ pain.
If you’re in pain and want to learn more about effective dental TMJ treatments, request your appointment at Austin Dental today.
Our Approach to Diagnosing TMJ
Our TMJ treatments start with an accurate diagnosis. Oftentimes, the symptoms of TMJ are our first clue that there’s a problem:
- Clicking sounds from the jaw joint
- Pain when chewing or speaking
- Swollen or tender jaw joints
From there, our TMJ dentist can check your bite and examine your teeth for signs of uneven wear. We can even use high-tech digital imaging technology to get a look at your bone structure and aid in our diagnosis.
From there, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan designed to relieve your TMJ pain.
TMJ Pain Relief & Treatment Options
There are a variety of options available to help you relieve both chronic and acute TMJ pain. Our dentists will discuss options with you that include:
Lifestyle Changes
Reducing your stress level, avoiding caffeine before bed, and other small changes can make a big difference in your jaw pain.
Anti-inflammatories
Chronic TMJ pain is the result of inflammation of the jaw joint. Anti-inflammatory medications can provide relief by reducing this inflammation.
Oral Devices
A custom-made oral device can relieve tension on the jaw by preventing tooth grinding and clenching at night.
Will TMJ just go away on its own without treatment?
Can you provide TMJ pain relief without surgery?
What happens if TMJ isn’t treated?
The Risks of Untreated TMJ Pain
- Premature wear on teeth (and possible chipping/cracking) caused by continued grinding and clenching
- Increased risk of decay caused by enamel loss on worn teeth
- Chronic jaw inflammation and difficulty chewing/speaking
- Lockjaw or even a dislocated jaw
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hearing issues including tinnitus
- Painful migraine headaches
Why Austin Dental?
“I had so much apprehension going into today after dealing with a large chain where I was made to feel really badly for the state of my teeth. Both the hygienist and doctor were very comforting and I walked away feeling great. I can’t say enough great things about this place and can confidently say that I will be a customer for life.”
– F. J.
Meet Your Dentists
Hoppy Lane, D.D.S.
ADA, TDA, UT San Antonio
Albert Olivares, D.D.S.
ADA, TDA, UT San Antonio
Steven Marino, D.D.S.
ADA, TDA, UT San Antonio
Amaris Caraballo, D.D.S.
UT Austin, UTHSC San Antonio
Great Teeth and a Better Life Start Here!
Don’t suffer through another minute of jaw aches and pains. We’re always welcoming new patients at our convenient Austin office. Come see us!
