Does your jaw pop or click when you eat? Do you often wake up with a headache? Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMD or TMJ, are bite disorders that occur from misaligned teeth, jaw injuries, or teeth clenching and grinding. Common TMJ symptoms, including jaw pain and dysfunction, often require professional treatment. Dr. Frank Henrich provides TMJ therapy in Tulsa, OK, to target the source of dysfunction and relieve the patient’s painful symptoms.
TMJ treatments include oral appliances, restorative care, and orthodontics. We also offer additional TENS and PRF Treatments for TMJ patients using modern technology. Dr. Henrich will personalize TMJ therapy to your specific needs.
TMJ Therapy in Tulsa, OK
Contact our office if you experience symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, toothaches, and teeth clenching and grinding. Dr. Henrich will examine your smile and take X-rays to find which treatments are best for you.
He offers multiple TMJ treatments that can relieve pain, address tooth damage, or fix the bite, directly treating temporomandibular joints. TMJ therapy can include the following:
Oral Appliances
Custom-fit appliances offer a conservative option for patients with TMJ. These appliances can align the jaw joints and prevent muscle tension caused by common TMJ symptoms like teeth clenching, grinding, or bruxism.
We take impressions to create your TMJ nightguard. This appliance can cover the upper or lower teeth and use a hard plastic to reduce unconscious clenching and grinding.
Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Henrich provides restorative dental care to repair worn teeth or adjust the bite. Tooth bonding treatment and dental crowns are common treatments to address tooth damage due to teeth clenching and grinding. These treatments can also create a more balanced bite.
For example, patients with chips or cracks in their enamel benefit from bonding treatment. Dental bonding uses malleable materials to add structure to damaged teeth. Tooth crowns fully cover teeth like caps. They protect teeth and create an even bite. We often recommend these treatments once patients no longer grind their teeth.
Orthodontics
We recommend orthodontics, such as braces or Invisalign, if patients have crooked or misaligned teeth that affect their TMJ disorder. Often, the position of the jaw joint mirrors the teeth.
An imbalanced bite due to crooked teeth puts pressure on the jaw and different teeth in the bite. Crooked teeth also increase the frequency of teeth clenching and grinding.
Straightening teeth and creating a more balanced bite can reduce bruxism and wear to your natural teeth. Treatments like braces or Invisalign may also alleviate jaw joint and muscle tension.
Botox
While many patients may think of Botox as a cosmetic treatment, Botox can also help address TMJ pain. This FDA-approved treatment is a neurotoxin, which freezes the facial and jaw muscles. Relaxing these muscles reduces pain and tension, which also treats TMJ headaches and chronic migraines.
Dr. Henrich can inject Botox into the muscles in the forehead and around the jaw joints to reduce TMJ symptoms. If you have chronic headaches and migraines, you may be a candidate for Botox for TMJ.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses low-voltage currents to treat pain. These currents reduce pain signals sent to the brain and also help stimulate endorphins to relax the muscles. Patients with TMJ pain can receive TENS treatment in our office to address pain in the jaw and face.
PRF Therapy
Patients in severe pain from TMJ can be great candidates for PRF therapy. We draw a small amount of blood from the patient during PRF treatment. Then, we place the blood in a centrifuge, which spins the blood, separating red blood cells and leaving PRF, a blood clot that contains growth factors and enhances healing.
We inject PRF into the jaw joint to help release the joint, allowing the disc in the jaw to slip back in place. Many patients with TMJ have a jaw disc that slips out of place, creating pain in the jaw. PRF can relieve pain and return the disc to the jaw.
TMJ Therapy FAQs
Many patients have questions about TMJ therapy in our Tulsa, OK office. Some of the most common questions can include:
Will TMJ go away on its own?
For many patients, TMJ will not disappear. TMJ will worsen if patients do not receive the correct care for their symptoms. We recommend that patients visit a dentist for TMJ treatment, as their symptoms can decline over time without the proper care or therapies.
Which TMJ treatment is right for me?
Dr. Henrich will meet with you to discuss your specific TMJ symptoms. He will also complete a thorough dental exam and take digital X-rays to see signs of wear or dysfunction in the teeth and jaw. Then, he will recommend a treatment based on your specific needs. In some cases, a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes can reduce your symptoms.
What should you avoid if you have TMJ?
If you have TMJ, we recommend that you avoid the following:
- Taking big bites out of hard, sticky, or chewy foods
- Using your teeth as tools
- Sleeping on your stomach or side
- Biting your nails
- Chewing on ice cubes
- Slouching
Eating hard and crunchy foods, opening objects with your teeth, chewing ice, and biting can put pressure your teeth and jaw. Sleeping on your stomach or on your side puts your spine out of proper alignment. Instead, sleeping on your back with your head elevated is the best sleeping position if you have a TMJ disorder.
Posture has a large impact on the TMJ. When you slouch or have a “forward head position,” your jaw joints strain. Sitting up straight with your head in line with your spine can reduce TMJ pain.
Treat TMJ Disorders Today
Do you think you may have a TMJ disorder? Call Dr. Henrich for TMJ treatment today at (918) 553-5907 or schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Henrich online. He will gladly help you find the proper treatment for your TMJ symptoms.
Please let Dr. Henrich know if you have questions about TMJ treatment. We’re here to help.