TMJ Therapy in Pueblo, CO

What is TMJ Therapy?

Temporomandibular joints are the structures or hinges that connect your jaw to the cheekbones on either side of your face. These joints are what also enable you to chew and open/close your mouth. When these jaw joints become inflamed or damaged due to overuse or a traumatic injury, temporomandibular joint disorder/dysfunction occurs (TMJ/TMD). This condition can be mild or severe and can cause great discomfort when eating or opening your mouth. In some cases, it can also cause radiating neck pain or chronic migraines.

Our highly trained oral and maxillofacial specialists have advanced training in treating TMJ/TMD and its debilitating symptoms. We practice a comprehensive approach and utilize advanced diagnostic methods to evaluate your jaw and any related pain. This allows our surgeons to determine the ideal form of treatment that will best restore your jaw health and function. We create custom treatment plans for each patient that may include bite (occlusal) adjustments, night guard therapy, palliative care, jaw surgery, and BOTOX®. Typically, jaw surgery is only recommended in severe cases. Call our Pueblo, CO office to schedule a consultation if you have been experiencing pain or poor jaw function.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction or TMJ Disorder?

The exact cause of TMJ/TMD is unclear, but there are some factors that can contribute to this condition. Typically, these issues are induced by habitual teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), chronic gum chewing, or misaligned teeth. In some cases, a tumor in the jaw joint, arthritis, or genetics can lead to the rise of TMJ disorder/dysfunction. Regardless of the underlying cause or contributing factors, our skilled surgical team is here to help provide relief through quality oral care.

Our team will perform diagnostic tests to assess your condition and determine the best course of treatment. Sign and symptoms of TMJ/TMD may include difficulty or pain when opening and closing your mouth, jaw clicking or popping, discomfort when eating, and pain that is isolated to your head, neck, or shoulders. Oftentimes, these symptoms do not dissipate without treatment, which is why it's important to seek care from a highly trained oral surgeon who is skilled in treating TMJ/TMD pain. Our Pueblo team can help ease your discomfort and restore your jaw health and function with customized oral care.

How is TMD Diagnosed and Treated?

Our oral and maxillofacial specialists provide comprehensive care to each of our patients. They will begin with performing a thorough examination of your jaw and have you discuss areas of discomfort during your initial consultation. We may conduct a series of simple exercises such as having you open and close your mouth in order to determine the overall health and function of your jaw while also listening for clicking or popping during that movement. During this consultation period, we will assess your teeth to identify any signs or damage of teeth grinding/clenching, and we will check your bite for any abnormalities. The surgeon will also gently feel the jaw joint and apply gentle pressure to the surrounding muscles to scan for any swelling or tenderness.

Once these initial tests are complete, we may conduct additional assessments such as digital x-rays, 3-D Cone Beam imaging, or an MRI in severe cases. Our team will review your results with you and discuss your treatment options. We offer an extensive list of treatments including night guards, palliative care, and corrective jaw surgery. We may also recommend BOTOX® injections or orthodontics to help with your TMJ/TMD pain.

What Can I Expect During TMJ Treatment?

In conjunction with your treatment, our oral surgeons will help educate you on practical techniques that can dramatically improve your TMJ/TMD condition. Certain practices such as keeping to a soft food diet, using hot and/or cold compresses, and incorporating relaxation rituals to help ease stress can bring positive results. We also encourage our patients to avoid or limit their hard candy intake, gum and ice chewing, or anything else that will place unnecessary stress on your jaw joints and muscles. Other helpful methods may include jaw exercises and prescription medication to ease joint inflammation and facial pain.

Our office will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and incorporate new solutions if needed. We will also work with your general dentist to maintain long-term assessment of your jaw function and bite. For this reason, it's important to maintain annual dental exams and cleanings as it will aid in your overall well-being. We are dedicated to discovering the appropriate form of treatment to help you achieve optimal jaw health and comfort.

Is TMJ Treatment Covered by Insurance?

Depending on your provider and specific insurance plan, coverage for TMJ/TMD treatments will differ. Our Insurance Specialist Team will contact your insurer to confirm your benefits prior to your initial appointment to estimate your costs. If you have limited coverage or are paying out-of-pocket, we are happy to work with you to help make your treatments more affordable. We accept many payment forms, including financing with CareCredit® and CredCompare, that offer flexible billing plans so our patients can get the TMJ/TMD care they need. CredCompare involves a simple application process that performs a soft credit pull with no affect to your credit score. Once submitted for prequalification, CredCompare allows several different financing companies to review your patient profile and to compete for assistance in your healthcare investment.

Specialized Jaw Pain Solutions

Temporomandibular joint disorder can cause a variety of unwanted symptoms and negatively impact your overall quality of life. With expert care from our seasoned team, your TMJ/TMD pain can be diagnosed and treated so you can regain optimal function and comfort. Contact Oral Surgery Specialists of Pueblo in Pueblo, CO to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons today to learn about all your options. We are here to serve you.