TMJ Therapy in Raleigh, NC: Comprehensive Treatment Options for Jaw Pain Relief

TMJ therapy treats pain or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint. This particular joint connects your jaw to your skull and facilitates movements like chewing and yawning. TMJ problems can lead to jaw pain, clicking noises, restricted mouth opening and lockjaw.

TMJ treatment typically involves palpating the musculature, bones and joints of your mouth and jaw. Your TMJ specialist may also perform a cranial nerve screening, x-rays or MRI.

Botox Injections

Injections of botulinum toxins block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. These neuromodulators can soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They can also treat hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating and bladder incontinence. Injections of botulinum toxin can relax tense jaw muscles to help relieve TMJ therapy Raleigh NC symptoms.

Our TMJ specialists are experts at determining whether your headache, facial pain or jaw stiffness is caused by TMJ or another condition. We offer a range of treatment options including custom-fabricated mouth guards, medications, physical therapy, jaw stretching exercises and injections of botulinum toxin and/or hyaluronic acid.

Masseter Botox is a cosmetic procedure that can reduce the squareness of your jawline and create a more feminine facial shape. It can also help ease clenching and grinding. Injections of botulinum tx and hyaluronic acid are used to reduce inflammation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and decrease inflammation-induced muscle spasms. Hyaluronic acid injections also lubricate the joint, which helps reduce friction between the teeth and the jawbone.

Custom Mouth Guards

We offer custom-made oral appliances (also known as splints, nightguards or occlusal guards) to relieve jaw pain and improve alignment. We also offer stress management techniques, physical therapy exercises and stretches to strengthen the jaw muscles, improve jaw posture and improve jaw function.

A custom mouth guard can be used to prevent bruxism, which is when you unconsciously grind and clench your teeth, most often at night. Grinding your teeth can cause them to become worn down, fractured or knocked out and may lead to TMD and headaches. A custom athletic mouthguard protects teeth in contact sports and can greatly reduce the risk of dental injuries like chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth.

TMD/TMJ disorders involve the musculature, tendons, bones and joints of your jaw and can be caused by overuse or injury of the chewing muscles, muscle knots (trigger points), medical comorbidities or lifestyle habits such as eating hard foods, yawning wide, nail biting, stress and clenching your teeth. Diagnosis includes a thorough history, interview and clinical examination, a cranial nerve screening, neck evaluation, blood tests and x-rays if needed.

Orthodontic Adjustments

If ice packs, jaw splints, and avoiding clenching or grinding of teeth don’t TMJ therapy Raleigh NC symptoms, our Raleigh orthodontist may recommend orthodontic treatment to realign the bite. This relieves the stress on the temporomandibular joint and eliminates headaches, neck pain, and dizziness.

A Raleigh myofunctional therapist can train your facial and oral muscles to function properly, improving chewing, swallowing, speech, and breathing. This therapy is also used to correct sleep apnea, which can be caused by a narrow airway or bite issues.

Massage Therapy

When someone experiences frequent and debilitating headaches it’s important to seek medical help at the earliest. A TMJ headache specialist in Raleigh NC can provide the patient with a range of treatment options to alleviate pain and restore normal jaw function. This can transform the patient’s quality of life, allowing them to live a more fulfilling life.

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ therapy Raleigh NC connects your jaw to your skull and facilitates essential functions like chewing and yawning. The joint and the muscles and ligaments that control it can experience a wide range of problems that cause symptoms like jaw pain, tooth wear, and sensitivity, or clicking and popping sounds during movement.

TMJ massage therapy eases TMJ pain and relaxes the jaw and facial muscles. It can also ease emotional stress that often contributes to TMJ disorders. Massage therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments or as a stand-alone treatment. It is often recommended to patients undergoing orthodontic adjustments or for those with chronic TMJ pain.