What Kind of Doctor Treats TMJ Disorder?
The complex joints that allow your jaw to move so widely are the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The heavy use these joints undergo makes them susceptible to deterioration. Other soft tissues may also become inflamed, depending on the severity of the condition. Stress is also a significant contributor to TMD, along with near-constant use. Clinching your jaw might place additional strain on your joints if you're stressed or agitated.
In this article, we’ll discuss what doctor to see for TMJ pain and what can you expect for your TMJ appointment.
What kind of doctor should you see for TMJ pain?
As far as TMJ issues are concerned, dentists specializing in the temporomandibular joint tend to have the most relevant and specialized expertise. However, it's critical to work with a dentist who focuses only on treating TMJ issues, as general or cosmetic dentists lack the specialized training necessary to effectively treat these conditions.
As far as TMJ issues are concerned, dentists specializing in the temporomandibular joint tend to be the most knowledgeable. Although general or aesthetic dentistry typically lacks the in-depth knowledge needed to properly treat TMJ disorders, it is crucial to work with a dentist specializing in TMJ diseases.
A neurologist, for example, may be able to help coordinate treatment if your TMJ condition causes headaches. A TMJ specialist and a sleep physician can collaborate if your condition, such as sleep apnea, is associated with your TMJ disease.
TMJ problems can be challenging to diagnose and treat. When it comes to managing referrals to other experts, an experienced TMJ dentist should also provide insight into more specific difficulties and associated diseases.
Preparing for your appointment
With your primary care physician or dentist, you're likely to begin discussing your symptoms of TMJ disorder. You may be referred to a specialist in TMJ issues if the recommended treatments fail to alleviate your symptoms.
Preparation is key, so gather all of your medical records, insurance information, and anything else that will help your doctor determine the best course of action. Your medical history and dental information may also be included in this document.
It's also a good idea to develop a list of follow-up questions. Inquire about the specialist's credentials and experience. Alternatively, you may like to enquire about the many treatment options available to you, as well as the expected outcomes and length of treatment. No inquiry is too little or unimportant in the search for TMJ pain alleviation.
Diagnosis
Treatment for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ disorder) can be sought if you begin to experience pain, tension, or clicking in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (TMD or TMJ disorder). To begin with, you'll need to see a doctor or dentist who specializes in the issue. Your dentist may utilize any or all of the following ways to diagnose TMJ.
Health history
Your dentist will also inquire about your current and previous health conditions because numerous other health conditions might cause symptoms similar to TMJ disease. Sinus or ear infections, dental cavities, and nerve diseases like trigeminal neuralgia are among the ailments that can cause facial pain.
What kind of medications do you take? What kind of stress do you experience in your life? Your dentist may inquire about these things. The more information you can provide, the better your dental health will be, so bring a list of your current prescriptions and any supplements you're taking with you.
Physical exam
Be prepared for a physical examination, even if your dentist recommended your new TMJ expert. Your TMJ expert will do a thorough examination of your jaw, head, and neck area, focusing on the position and movement of your temporomandibular joint to determine the best course of treatment for alleviating your symptoms.
X-rays and tomographic imaging of your jaw may also be used as part of an examination to get a closer look at your temporomandibular joint.
Your dentist may order replicas of your teeth using a simple impression technique based on what they discover during a thorough physical examination. These imprints provide a record of your chewing and biting habits for the dentist and their team.
Your specialist will meet with you again to get a deeper sense of your specific needs. Diagnosis and treatment for TMJ pain are as individual as those who suffer from it.
Diagnostic imaging
Diagnostic imaging may be recommended by your dentist if necessary, based on the severity of your condition. An evaluation of the joint's integrity and the progression of the illness will allow them to establish a personalized treatment plan for you.
X-rays, both standard and panoramic
In most cases, these x-rays are taken in the dentist's office to diagnose TMJ problems. In these x-rays, the teeth, sinuses, upper and lower jaws, and bone components of the TMJs are clearly shown.
A CT scan
A CT scan gives your dentist a three-dimensional view of the TMJ's bone structure, but it does not provide a clear view of the disc and soft tissue of the joints.
MRI scan
To get an accurate picture of the disc, muscles, and soft tissues surrounding the TMJs, you'll need an MRI scan.
Using a standard clinical exam alone is not sufficient to diagnose TMD. Even yet, this is just the start. Cone beam CT scans, cephalometrics, and the revolutionary A Biopak technologies are all part of our diagnosis process in addition to eye inspection of teeth.
There are three diagnostic tools in one with the Biopak. When we use an electrosonograph, we may pick up on the sounds emitted by the jaw joints. We can see the path the jaw takes when it opens and closes using a three-dimensional tracking device. An unbalanced bite may necessitate an uneven movement to compensate. When electromyography is used, we can see how hard our jaw muscles are straining to open and close properly.
Scintigraphy (bone scan)
To begin, a dye injection is required for this scan. Bone scans will begin after the dye has taken up residence in your bones.
Consult with Garza DDS to learn more about who to see about TMJ
The best way to find out if you have TMJ disorder pain is to consult a TMJ specialist. You can save yourself a lot of time, money, and pain by finding the right TMJ doctor like Garza DDS.
The extent of the TMJ treatment determines the total cost of restorative treatments. To go through the specifics of your case, we would be delighted to meet with you. During your consultation, we'll be able to provide you with all the information you need, including an estimate for the therapy you're considering.