TMJ Therapy – Noblesville, IN
Relieving Strain on Your Jaw, Head, & Neck
Frequent migraines, difficulty chewing, and continual jaw pain can really hinder your day-to-day life. These symptoms often point to a problem with your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) – the joints just below your ears that allow your jaw to move. Fortunately, this discomfort doesn’t have to be permanent. At Noble Creek Family Dentistry, Dr. James Huseman can diagnose and treat TMJ disorder, relieving strain on your jaw, head, and neck. Please contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Why Choose Noble Creek Family Dentistry for TMJ Therapy?
- Digital Dental Impressions for Comfortable, Precise Occlusal Splints
- Same-Day Appointments for Dental Emergencies
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Practice
Diagnosis & Treatment
TMJ disorder can develop from a variety of causes. Often, bruxism (chronic teeth grinding while sleeping) is to blame, but other possible causes include injury to the face, the onset of arthritis, and bite alignment issues like overbite or underbite. No two cases of TMJ disorder are exactly alike, but you should be aware of some common symptoms:
- Persistent pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders, or face
- Frequent headaches or earaches
- Clicking or popping noises from the jaw joints
- Difficulty opening or closing the jaw
Occlusal Adjustments
If a misaligned bite is the culprit, we may be able to treat your TMJ disorder with occlusal adjustments (also known as equilibration). Dr. Huseman will carefully evaluate each of your teeth and your jaw’s default resting position. From there, he can pinpoint the precise areas where pressure is unevenly concentrated. By gently reshaping the teeth in these locations, he can make your overall arch more uniform, thereby reducing strain on your TMJs.
Occlusal Splints
A custom occlusal splint is another common answer to TMJ problems. We’ll design one of these oral appliances to comfortably fit over your teeth. When you wear it to bed, it repositions the way your jaw naturally rests to relieve some of the stress on your jaw joints. This appliance also doubles as a nightguard, preventing nocturnal teeth grinding that could worsen TMJ symptoms over time. After wearing your occlusal splint as instructed by Dr. Huseman, many patients have found permanent relief from their TMJ discomfort!