TMJ Therapy – Dedham, MA
Putting a Stop to Jaw Pain
Are you experiencing constant pain in your jaw that doesn’t seem to be getting any better over time? It might indicate a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ for short). The TMJ allows for movements that let you speak and chew your food, but when it becomes strained or injured, it can cause a lot of pain, and in the worst-case scenario it might even limit your jaw movement. Get in touch with Dr. Patil today to schedule an appointment to have your TMJ disorder (TMD) diagnosed, so we can start planning a path to relief with TMJ therapy in our dental office.
Why Choose Dr. Gauri Patil Family Dentistry for TMJ Therapy?
- Fully Customized Occlusal Splints
- Traditional Boutique-Style Dental Office
- Caring Dentist, Familiar Team
Diagnosis & Treatment
TMD can have several causes, and it’s characterized by a variety of symptoms, such as pain or tenderness of the jaw, aching pain in and around your ear, difficulty chewing, facial pain, and locking of the joint. When you come to our dental office experiencing possible symptoms of TMD, we will perform a careful examination of the jaw and may even take X-rays if needed. Your treatment plan will be fully personalized based on our findings.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a special kind of oral appliance that is used to adjust the positioning of the jaw so that the TMJ has a chance to rest. It is typically worn at night and moves the lower jaw forward or back towards a more ideal resting position. It also covers the teeth and prevents them from making direct contact with each other; this helps protect your smile from the effects of bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding), which is a major risk factor for TMD.