801-756-0900Distress and discomfort in the temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw can have a serious impact on your overall quality of life. Procrastinating professional treatment at TMJ Therapy could allow the problem to develop into something more severe.
Many TMJ disorder sufferers complain of a pain or persistent ache near the temples or in front of the ears. This could also include pain within the joint when biting down and applying pressure with your jaw muscles. For some people, the temporomandibular joints might also click when chewing. While this is not always a direct symptom of TMJ disorder, it might be a related symptom.
Many times Dr. Carl McMillan will advocate a two-stage treatment strategy to improve temporomandibular discomfort. It often starts with simple lifestyle modification, such as eating softer foods, placing hot or cold packs on the sore area, or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.
This might also include using a quality night guard when you sleep at night. This is even more likely if your dentist suspects your TMJ disorder is related to grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis.
If lifestyle modification fails to achieve significant symptom relief, Dr. Carl McMillan might advocate more proactive or invasive treatment measures. This could include taking prescription medications, using a stabilization stint or even surgical intervention. The method he advocates will be based on your symptoms and the unique details of your temporomandibular joints.
If you live in the American Fork, Utah, area and you’ve been struggling with symptoms of TMJ disorder, you should call 801-756-0900 for professional diagnosis and treatment at TMJ Therapy.