The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a key part of your mouth, and when it does not function well it can cause serious problems. It is the only joint in the body that allows you to move your jaw, a critical function for eating, talking and breathing. You may have seen commercials on television or in magazines that promote a “TMJ cure”, but not all tmj specialists near me are created equal. The best TMJ specialists are dentists who have had extensive training and experience treating TMJ, and who have also completed a fellowship in the treatment of TMJ and headaches. Dr. Bakhtiari has had this specialized training and has helped thousands of patients find relief from their TMJ pain.
TMJ can be caused by many things including malocclusion (problems with the way the teeth fit together), a blow to the head or face, clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism), arthritis in the jaw or other joints, poorly fitting dentures, sleeping with the mouth open for extended periods, recent dental work such as fillings and crowns, stress, and traction on the neck, head or jaw. TMJ symptoms can vary widely and include headaches, jaw pain or tenderness, ringing in the ears, a clicking sound when chewing or moving the mouth, stiffness of the neck or shoulders, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
What Can a TMJ Specialist near Me Do?
Treatment options for TMJ can range from a bite splint to physical therapy to open joint surgery. Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, muscle relaxers or antidepressants can be used temporarily to help with the pain. Treatments such as mouth guards, BOTOX, and oral appliance therapy can provide longer-term relief. Surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of TMJ where a patient has been unable to open or close the mouth at all and/or has severe jaw pain.
TMJ is diagnosed by a thorough history and interview, a clinical examination including palpation of the muscles, tendons and bones of the jaw, a cranial nerve screening checking for abnormalities in the neck and head, as well as an evaluation of a patient’s headaches and sleep habits. X-rays of the jaw and/or CT scans may be recommended to help identify possible causes of TMJ. Diagnosis of TMJ rarely involves advanced or expensive imaging, and never includes specialized gadgets that appear impressive but are not objective or reliable. You can book an appointment with a TMJ Disorders doctor directly on MediFind using the “Request Appointment” button on their profile. This option is available for some providers only; for more information, please see our content policy. If a provider does not offer direct scheduling, you can still request an appointment through MediFind by selecting “Appointments online” under the “Availability” filter on the left side of the search results page.