Dr. Timothy E. Mickiewicz wants to end the painful symptoms from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) at Pacific Orofacial Pain Consultants, LLC (POPC), in Sacramento, CA, and return you to a full, productive life. He believes in patient education and empowerment when diagnosing and treating TMD. You will learn the cause of your discomfort and the available treatment options to enable the body to heal itself and enjoy long-term relief. To learn more about how Dr. Mickiewicz treats TMD, contact us today.
Temporomandibular
Disorder (TMD):
Why and How Is It Treated?
What is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) occurs when the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are misaligned. The TMJ connects the lower jaw, named the mandible, to the temporal bone at the sides of the head. You can feel the joints by placing your fingers just in front of your ears and opening your mouth. These joints enable us to chew, speak, and yawn. They are one of the most complicated parts of the body, due to the combination of hinge and sliding motions. The TMJ is a load-bearing joint, like the knees or the hips. Multiple factors attributing to the proper alignment of the TMJ pose challenges for patients and doctors when dysfunction occurs. Dysfunction leads to pain and discomfort. TMD is more common in women than in men.
Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
Patients may present with one or multiple symptoms that lead Dr. Mickiewicz to diagnose TMD. Symptoms differ for each patient and range from mild to moderate.
Symptoms may include:
- Chronic, reoccurring headaches
- Pain in the neck, face, jaw, shoulders, and/or lower back
- Limited jaw motion
- Difficulty chewing
- Clicking and locking of the jaw joint(s)
- Chronic ringing in the ears, or earaches
At your first visit, Dr. Mickiewicz will perform a comprehensive examination and review your medical history. A chronological and detailed medical history will help him create an effective treatment plan for you. Your medical history should include all doctors seen, treatments prescribed, and medications received for TMD or other chronic pain and/or swelling.
How Is TMD Treated?
Upon diagnosis of TMD, Dr. Mickiewicz will present you with treatment options. Our treatment plans are reasonable, conservative, and customized to each patient’s specific needs. We encourage patients to have a proactive approach to reduce risk for further damage and relieve chronic pain and discomfort.
“For our temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients, we know it can be difficult to sort through the myriad of treatment philosophies. It’s even difficult for the average dentist, so it can be nearly impossible for patients. Fortunately, and consistent with our procedures, recent research has emphasized evidenced-based treatment approaches, and the consensus has become clear: conservative treatment is the best treatment.”
Dr. Mick
TMD is usually treated with one or more treatment methods, and the treatments take time to fully relieve symptoms.
There are a variety of treatment regimens available to improve the harmony and function of the jaw.
- Oral Appliance – A soft, flexible (medical silicone), custom-fitted appliance eliminates teeth grinding and supports correct alignment of the jaws, decreasing pain.
- Trigger Point Injections (TPI): –This treatment involves administering saline, local anesthesia, or corticosteroids into targeted muscles to alleviate associated pain. It is often helpful in the treatment of migraines and chronic headaches.
- Physical Therapy – A trained therapist in TMD can provide therapy to focus on muscle and joint movements (arthrokinematics), soft tissues in the joint, the upper cervical spine on the position of the joint, posture, and the centric relation.
- Medication – For severe pain, Dr. Mickiewicz may prescribe medications, such as muscle relaxants or antidepressants, to treat underlying causes and ease symptoms.
Patients may also apply self-care treatments at home such as:
- Practicing techniques for relaxing and reducing stress, such as meditation or biofeedback
- Applying cold packs or ice to painful area
- Eating softer foods
- Avoiding teeth grinding
- Chewing food evenly on both sides of the mouth
- Avoiding chewing gum and/or hard-to-chew foods
- Avoiding biting nails
- Using of over-the-counter pain medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, for short-term, temporary relief
For many people, discomfort from TMD goes away over time, with little or no treatment. Other patients, however, can develop significant, long-standing dysfunction and chronic pain.
Stop The Pain Now
If you are experiencing TMD symptoms, contact our offices now to set up your consultation with Dr. Mick. Let’s stop your pain today and restore the good health you deserve.
