If you lead a busy life, it can be hard to make time to go to the dentist for TMJ. “It probably won’t help anyway,” you tell yourself. Maybe your TMJ symptoms come and go, and you figure that by the time you get in for an appointment, you’ll be feeling better. There are a lot of reasons patients put off seeing a dentist when they have TMJ disorder, but it’s important to seek treatment promptly because the sooner you address your symptoms, the better your prognosis will be.
When to See a Dentist for TMJ Disorder
The symptoms of TMJ disorder can overlap with those of other conditions. If you’ve never been diagnosed, but you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see a dentist who specializes in treating TMD:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches, including migraines and tension headaches
- Popping or clicking when chewing or opening your mouth
- Abnormal wear or frequently chipped or cracked teeth
- Uncomfortable bite
- Facial pain
- Tinnitus
- Balance issues, including dizziness, vertigo, and Meniere’s disease
- Upper back pain
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ disorder by your dentist, but they gave you a mouthguard to treat it and it doesn’t seem to have helped. You may think your situation is hopeless, but seeing a TMJ specialist is critical when it comes to treating this disorder. Unfortunately, many dentists take a one-size-fits-all approach to TMJ pain, giving all of their patients mouth guards. These mouthguards are effective when TMD is caused by nighttime jaw clenching or teeth grinding, but there are a number of other causes of TMJ pain that mouth guards do not address.
The Difference Between a General Dentist and TMJ Specialist
A TMJ specialist will take the time to understand the true origins of your chronic pain. Only by identifying the underlying cause of your pain can it be treated. This is why so many patients have trouble finding relief for their TMJ symptoms.
Once we understand why you’re experiencing TMJ pain, we can develop a custom treatment plan personalized to your unique needs. At TMJ Plus Wellness Center, we know that while your pain may originate in your jaw, it can have an impact on your entire body—that’s why we take a holistic approach to TMJ disorder. Dr. Coats collaborates with other specialists to treat your issues in a comprehensive manner so you can live your best life.
A typical treatment plan from TMJ Plus Wellness Center includes immediate treatment to alleviate your pain, followed by a Phase 1 treatment to improve your jaw position and dental health, and a Phase 2 treatment to address the root cause of your TMJ pain. We’ve helped hundreds of patients with severe TMJ disorder find lasting relief for their symptoms.
Don’t Wait—Make an Appointment Today
It’s never a good idea to take a “wait and see” approach to TMJ disorder. To avoid long-term damage to your jaw joints and teeth, schedule an appointment with a TMJ specialist for an evaluation. Contact us today at 817-481-6888 for a consultation with Dr. Coats at TMJ Plus Wellness Center.