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. We also offer additional PRF Treatments for TMJ patients.
TMJ Therapy in Tulsa, OK
Dr. Henrich offers multiple TMJ treatments that can relieve pain, address tooth damage, or fix the bite, directly treating temporomandibular joints.
Orthodontic Appliances
Custom-fit orthodontic appliances offer a conservative option for patients with TMJ. Orthodontic appliances can align the jaw joints and prevent muscle tension due to common TMJ symptoms like teeth clenching and grinding or bruxism.
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 we may use 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 that add structure to damaged teeth. Tooth crowns fully cover teeth like caps, protecting teeth but also creating an even bite.
Orthodontics
We will recommend orthodontics like braces if patients have crooked or misaligned teeth that affect their TMJ disorder. Often, the position of the jaw joint mirrors the teeth. Straightening teeth and creating a more balanced bite can also alleviate jaw joint and muscle tension.
Botox
While many patients may think of Botox as a cosmetic treatment, Botox can 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.
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
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 Disorder FAQs
Many patients have questions about TMJ. 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.
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
- Biting your nails
- Chewing on ice cubes
- Slouching
Treat TMJ Disorders Today
Do you think you may have TMJ? Call Dr. Henrich for TMJ treatment 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.