There is no need to suffer from the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. If you are struggling, our prosthodontist can help with our TMJ treatments in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. George Eifler can assess the severity of your condition and offer suggestions for how we can improve your jaw’s function. If you are interested in our treatments, schedule your appointment at Valley Dental Group by calling 602-956-2260.
TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that causes pain in the jaw and face. The cause of TMD can be triggered by stress, injury, clenching or grinding your teeth, stress, arthritis and misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Symptoms of TMD include pain in the jaw, face, neck and shoulders, clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth, and headaches.
There are a number of different treatments that can be effective for TMD, depending on the individual case. Some simple self-care measures that may help to relieve symptoms include avoiding hard and chewy foods, eating soft foods, applying ice packs to the jaw and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, professional treatment does a better job of finding the cause and relieving pain. Oral appliance therapy is usually reserved for mild to moderate cases of TMD, as it is not as effective in treating severe cases. However, it can be a successful treatment option for many people with TMD. In fact, studies have shown that oral appliance therapy can be just as effective as other forms of treatment, such as medications or surgery. Our prosthodontist will take impressions of your teeth and create a custom-fitted oral appliance for you to wear. It should fit snugly and comfortably in your mouth and should be easy to insert and remove.
Oral appliance therapy can take several weeks or months to be effective, so it is important to be patient while you are using this type of treatment. In most cases, oral appliances need to be worn every night in order to be effective. If oral appliance therapy is successful in treating your TMD, you may only need to wear the appliance at night. However, some people may need to wear it during the day as well. You will likely need to see our prosthodontist for follow-up appointments so he can check on your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your oral appliance.
If you are considering TMJ treatment, our experienced prosthodontist can help you find the right oral appliance for your needs. Call us today at 602-956-2260 to start your services today.