TMJ Treatment

Gentle TMJ treatment options at 3V Dental of Port Washington and Massapequa

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3V Dental is Proud to Offer TMJ Treatments at Our Port Washington Dental Office

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it’s where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result.

According to the American Dental Association, diagnosis is important BEFORE surgery.

Symptoms and Problems caused by TMJ

There are many side effects, symptoms and long terms problems that can be caused by TMJ. Below are only a small sampling of common TMJ symptoms. If you feel as though you may be suffering from TMJ or symptoms related to TMJ, contact 3V Dental today!

Headaches
Earaches
Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Pain in the jaw muscles
Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

There are a number of TMJ symptoms that cause a great deal of discomfort. One of the most common is teeth grinding, pain and tenderness in the jaw and in either one or both temporomandibular joints, earache, aching in the face, difficulty chewing and the locking of the jaw that makes it difficult to open or close the mouth.

It is also highly common to experience a clicking or popping sound while opening your mouth to speak or chew. You should see a doctor or dentist if you have a constant ache or tenderness and difficulty in closing or opening your mouth. A quick consultation with one of our dentists and we’ll be able to determine the best type of TMJ treatment for you.

TMJ Treatments in the Port Washington Area

TMJ dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.

TMJ Surgery Options in the Port Washington Area

While there are many short term, temporary, and ongoing treatment options for TMJ, surgery is often thought of as a last resort option. However, if TMJ surgery is agreed upon by both patient and dentist, there is still a chance that your TMJ symptoms may not be resolved as a result of the surgery.

It’s important that the patient not only understand the risks associated with surgery, but the possible outcomes. Often, your dentisrt may advise counseling or sessions with a psychologist so that the patient fully understands the affects of more invasive surgeries.

Some types of TMJ surgeries at our Port Washington dental office include

Arthrocentesis
Arthroscopy
Arthroplasty
Total Joint Replacement
Distraction Osteogenesis

Temporary TMJ Relief is Available at our Port Washington Dental Office

If you suffer from TMJ, TMJ treatment is important and can be highly effective. One of the first treatment options involves the use of over the counter medications like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and others.

Muscle relaxants can also be helpful in treating TMJ disorder. It can ease your discomfort and can be used for several days to a few weeks at a time.

Surprisingly, there are other treatments in the form of various therapies that have been effective as well. Sometimes, a dentist will put in an oral splint or mouth guard to help with the patient’s jaw alignment. It isn’t widely understood why this method is beneficial.

Physical therapy can help thanks to specific exercises meant to strengthen and stretch out the jaw muscles. In addition, the use of heat or ice is used and can be effective at minimizing discomfort.

Counseling can even help with TMJ treatment. During sessions, you can learn about certain behaviors that can aggravate your condition and are taught how to avoid them. For instance, you may be grinding your teeth or biting your nails. Once you learn that these habits aggravate your TMJ, you can become more aware of them and work toward stopping the behaviors.

For more information or consultation on TMJ treatment options in the Port Washington, NY and Long Island area, contact our local dental team today.

This article has been reviewed and/or authored by Dr. Irina Kellerman

What You Can Expect at 3V Dental

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Find relief from TMJ discomfort with our specialized treatments. Experience personalized care targeting the underlying causes, restoring comfort and promoting jaw function for lasting relief.

Expert Diagnosis

Trust our skilled professionals to accurately diagnose TMJ issues, identifying underlying causes for targeted treatment and effective relief of jaw pain and discomfort.

Personalize Treatment

Receive tailored TMJ therapies designed to address your unique symptoms and needs, ensuring comprehensive care and long-lasting relief from discomfort and dysfunction.

Our Approach

Our holistic approach to TMJ treatment integrates various modalities to promote overall wellness, targeting not only symptoms but also addressing underlying contributing factors for optimal results.

FAQ's

How Often Should I Get a Dental Cleaning?

Your dentist at 3V Dental will make recommendations regarding the timing of dental cleanings. At a minimum, you optimize your oral health by having dental cleanings at least twice a year. As was noted a moment ago, if you have special needs, you may want to schedule more frequent cleanings during the course of a year.

Dental cleanings are a vital part of your overall oral health regimen. There are a variety of key benefits that you obtain through regular, professional dental cleanings. At 3V Dental in Port Washington, we’re proud to offer cost effective dental cleanings for you and your family!

3V Dental Offers Complete Dental Care and Cleanings

The complete dental cleaning and checkup process includes a number different things, depending in part on how long it has been since you last had an appointment with your dentist. In addition to the actual cleaning process, your dentist will also conduct a physical examination of your teeth and gums.

X-rays may be recommended if a year or more has lapsed between your visit to the dentist. Your dentist will examine your mouth for any sign of oral cancer. Finally, your dentist will examine your bite to ensure that there are no issues.

Once these steps are completed, your dentist or a dental hygienist will do the actual teeth cleaning. Dental cleaning is designed to plaque and tartar from your teeth. The reality is that even if you follow your dentist’s recommendations regarding brushing your teeth and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up in places that you just cannot effectively reach through brushing and flossing.

Reversing Gingivitis with Dental Cleanings
One of the key benefits of dental cleanings if that they can reverse gingivitis in many cases. Gingivitis is the first stage of serious gum disease that can result in permanent damage.

In some cases, you may need more than one dental cleaning to get gingivitis under control and to move towards eliminating it. Into the future, to prevent a recurrence of gingivitis, you may need to up the frequency of your visit to the dentist.

Proper intervention through dental cleanings prevents gingivitis from developing into more advanced periodontitis. Periodontitis is very serious and can result in permanent, irreversible gum damage.

Dental Cleanings Prevent Larger More Serious Issues
Dental cleanings provide the most important time at which a dentist is able to identify other problems that may afflict a patient. For example, it is during the comprehensive dental cleaning process that a dentist can identify cavities.

It is crucial that a cavity be dealt with in a timely manner. The failure to do so can result in it growing and causing bacterial infection to develop in the pulp of a tooth. Such a development can cause significant damage to a person’s tooth structure and be extremely painful.

Ready to schedule your dental cleaning and be on your way to healthy teeth and gums? Contact our office today to speak to one of our amazing associates!

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Port Washington: 516-944-7000
Massapequa: 516-507-3003