TMJ Therapy – Long Island City, NY
Relieve Chronic Jaw Pain & Live Healthier
You may have never heard of the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints, but these small parts of the body have the all-too important responsibility of connecting your jaw to your skull, allowing for movements like chewing, speaking, and yawning. When dysfunction strikes this delicate area, it can result in chronic, distracting pain that may take away from your day-to-day quality of life. At LIC Dental Associates, we provide dedicated therapy for TMJ disorder in order to restore harmony to patients’ smile and improve their overall wellbeing. Please contact us today if you’re in need of a consultation to discuss options for TMJ therapy in Long Island City.
Why Choose LIC Dental Associates for TMJ Therapy?
- Custom-Made Occlusal Splints
- All-Digital Impressions – No “Goop”
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Screenings With State-of-the-Art Technology
Do I Have TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder is a complex health problem with several different possible sources; thus, no two instances of it manifest in the same way. However, there are some common symptoms that patients should bring to our attention if they occur on a regular basis:
- Severe, chronic pain in the jaw, face, neck, head, and/or shoulders
- Constant discomfort that feels like an earache
- Struggling to open and close the mouth fully or chew food without difficulties
- Constant clicking, popping, and/or locking in the jaw joints
Equilibration & Occlusal Adjustments
If the patient’s bite is noticeably misaligned or inflicting excessive pressure on certain teeth, the best path forward may be to slightly reshape certain dental surfaces so that both arches come together in a much more functional and harmonious manner. Our dentists will take care to be as conservative as possible, and the final result should be noticeable, lasting relief from TMJ-related pain as the nearby facial muscles are finally able to recover.
Occlusal Splints
Occlusal splints are small mouthpieces that will help reposition the patient’s jaw into a more comfortable position, essentially “resetting” its natural inclinations and correcting long-term dysfunction. We may also recommend this therapy option if the patient’s case of TMJ disorder is being caused by bruxism (TMJ disorder); the splint’s presence will prevent the top and bottom teeth from meeting in harmful ways over time.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
Discomfort associated with TMJ disorder can sometimes go away on its own overtime. However, if your symptoms are having a significant impact on your everyday life. You will want to visit a professional for treatment. Occlusal splints and occlusal adjustments/equilibration are both designed to permanently address the jaw tension, misalignment, or other underlying causes of TMJ, resulting in lasting relief.
Does Occlusal Adjustment for TMJ Hurt?
No matter which changes need to be made to properly align your teeth, we will make sure that your treatment is as comfortable as possible. In most cases, occlusal adjustment is performed by precisely filing down the biting surfaces of the teeth or restoration that protrude and throw off the bite’s overall balance. This is done to alleviate stress on the jaw joints without negatively impacting your oral health. In some cases, occlusal adjustment can involve adding to existing dental structures. Depending on your unique situation, we may or may not need to administer a local anesthetic to numb your mouth beforehand.
Is TMJ Treatment Safe?
Once you are receiving TMJ treatment from a qualified professional, the process should be completely safe. However, it is often recommended to treat TMJ disorder with as minimally invasive and conservative methods as possible. Occlusal splints are equilibration/occlusal adjustments have both been proven to be overwhelmingly safe for addressing TMD. During your consultation, we will examine your smile to determine the most effective, safest treatment option for you.
How Long Does TMJ Treatment in Long Island City Take?
While some at-home jaw exercises can provide immediate yet temporary relief, long-term relief typically requires treatment from a medical professional. The timeline depends on the specific treatments necessary, which can vary based on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. Occlusal splints are worn at night for a few weeks to several months before patients notice their symptoms being alleviated. Equilibration/occlusal adjustments can very in how quickly they can provide relief, depending on the changes to be made. However, once the bite is better aligned, most patients experience some relief very soon afterward.
Can TMJ Disorder Be Treated without Surgery?
Yes! In fact, The National Institutes of Health highly recommend that people seek more conservative methods for TMJ disorder first before committing to surgical treatment. In many cases, less is more! Surgery involves making permanent changes to the jaws, joints, and nearby anatomy, so it is only ever suggested as a last resort. TMD can usually be addressed with less invasive measures, like occlusal splints and equilibration/occlusal adjustments, so it is best to consider these options first.