TMJ Dentist in San Clemente: Treatment Options to Consider Before Surgery

We invite you to visit us for TMJ dentist in San Clemente. If you have been diagnosed with TMJ or are concerned that you may have the condition, call our office and schedule an examination. We can conduct a physical examination, discuss your symptoms, and determine if you have TMJ. This is a common condition that impacts adults of all ages. While there are several things that could lead to TMJ, we have found it is very often caused by grinding or clenching teeth as a result of high stress or uncontrolled factors.

Here are a few common symptoms to watch for:

Headaches. Persistent headaches can negatively impact your quality of life. Whether you wake up with a dull ache or a migraine, headaches can make it difficult to function. While it may be easy to take ibuprofen and move on, if they occur regularly, you could have TMJ, and treating the condition will provide you with more permanent relief.

Jaw pain. If your jaw is sore and you have difficulty moving it normally or opening it all the way, you could have TMJ. If left untreated, this could go from being an inconvenience to being alarming, as some people begin to experience lockjaw and the inability to open their mouth in the morning. A TMJ dentist can prevent the condition from ever getting to this point by treating your TMJ in San Clemente.

Our non-invasive treatment solution.

When treating your TMJ in San Clemente, we start by exploring all non-invasive solutions. Some TMJ dentist will recommend surgery, but we find this to be an irreversible and risky option unless you have explored all other solutions first. Our treatment is fairly simplistic. When you visit our office, we will make an impression of your mouth and take measurements that will be sent to the dental lab for a removable oral appliance (night guard) to be created. This is a small device you can wear at night. It will prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching so you cannot grind or clench them while sleeping. Doing so puts pressure on the temporomandibular joint, often leading to stress, tension, and the symptoms of TMJ. While this treatment is simple, it is also incredibly effective, because it allows your joint to remain in a relaxed position. When our treatment is combined with making minor adjustments to your diet (avoiding anything hard to chew, gum, etc.) you can begin experiencing relief right away. You can also try gentle massage, as long as you only do it for a few minutes at a time and are careful not to apply too much pressure. You may also want to use a warm compress if you wake up with a sore jaw. Combined, these steps will help you to feel better so you can enjoy a life free from jaw pain.

Treating TMJ in San Clemente at our dental office allows you to get the help you need in a calm, relaxed, and non-invasive fashion.