TMJ Treatment Corpus Christi

Do you find yourself nursing a sore, clenched jaw upon waking? If you grind or clench your teeth, you may suffer from TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder not only causes pain and difficulty opening the jaw, but can eventually lead to cracked and worn teeth as they sustain an enormous amount of pressure each night. 

In addition to a comprehensive range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services, Dr. Nicholas Perry Orchard and Dr. Alejandro Vilamil offer diagnosis of this common disorder, and TMJ treatment to patients in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas. If you think you may suffer from TMJ disorder, schedule an appointment to undergo a consultation at our practice, or call to learn more about available treatment options. 

Common Symptoms

Although a thorough examination by a specialist is needed to diagnose disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is also important to be aware of symptoms and seek care when appropriate. 

Common TMJ disorder symptoms include:

• Grinding or clenching of the teeth
• Painful or sensitive jaw
• Difficulty closing or opening the mouth
• Headaches
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw clicking and popping

Left untreated, TMJ symptoms may be exacerbated by daily activities such as chewing and speaking, which in turn makes those activities more painful and difficult to manage. A thorough examination with a trained specialist, such as Dr. Orchard or Dr. Vilamil, is imperative in correctly diagnosing TMJ disorder. If you are diagnosed with the condition, we will work with you to provide information on a range of treatment options best suited to your unique medical and dental needs. 

TMJ Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed with TMJ disorder, we can help lessen the symptoms of this debilitating disorder.  Drs. Orchard and Vilamil believe in a holistic approach to treatment. While many care providers simply treat the symptoms, our team focuses on the underlying causes of your pain and discomfort. This unique approach leads to greater patient adherence to treatment and higher success rates overall. 

One form of preventive treatment our practice exercises is to focus on adjusting patients' bites. Oftentimes, TMJ symptoms see marked improvement from slight to moderate realignment of bite, made possible through Invisalign®. An added benefit is the cosmetic appeal of these patients' smiles is also simultaneously improved. 

To combat the main components of TMJ disorder - namely, muscle strain and nerve pressure - we have seen great success from the use of night guards. These customized mouth guards work to gently relax muscles and lessen the effects of teeth grinding. Another type of treatment we prescribe is the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit, used to relieve muscle tension and stiffness, while producing a massaging effect. 

For certain challenging cases, Drs. Orchard or Vilamil may refer you to a trusted specialist, and we work closely with a network of local care providers who have extensive training in treating complex versions of TMJ disorder. 

Learn More during a Consultation

The widespread effects of TMJ disorder are receiving more attention as patients suffering from symptoms that were previously difficult to diagnose and treat - headache, stiff neck, and dizziness - are finding relief. Dr. Orchard and Dr. Vilamil are committed to helping each of their patients receive care before their clenching and grinding leads to the need for restorative work. Contact us today to schedule an examination and find out whether you may be suffering from TMJ disorder.