TMJ Treatment Springfield
How We Can Stop Jaw Pain & Headaches
Millions of people live with chronic jaw pain and headaches and can’t seem to figure out why, even after visiting multiple doctors. Does this include you? The culprit might be a dysfunctional jaw joint, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Addressing this often-undiagnosed issue is the key to lasting relief for many patients, and Dr. Gramse can help you finally enjoy pain-free days using a variety of conservative and tailored TMJ treatments in Springfield detailed below.
Why Choose Dr. Laura Gramse Family Dental Care for TMJ Treatment?
- Trusted by Springfield & Palmer for 25+ Years
- Fast Relief with BOTOX Treatment
- Friendly, Warm, & Kind Dental Team
Symptoms of TMJ Problems
Because the muscles of the jaw are so interconnected with the face and neck, problems with the joint can lead to a broad range of symptoms:
- A sore or stiff jaw
- A jaw that becomes stuck opening or closing
- Constant popping and clicking in the jaw
- Frequent headaches/migraines
- Nighttime teeth grinding
- A bite that is uneven or feels “off”
- Ear pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
TMJ Treatment Options
After evaluating your TMJ and bite to determine what is causing your symptoms, Dr. Gramse can use two kinds of TMJ treatments to stop your problems in both the short and long term…
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a type of mouthpiece a patient only wears to bed, and it accomplishes a few things. It aligns the bite, allowing strained or overworked jaw muscles to finally relax, and it also protects the teeth from unconscious grinding. Over time, the jaw will “learn” to stay in its new resting position, meaning a patient shouldn’t experience recurring symptoms after a few weeks or months of consistent use.
BOTOX® Injections
While an occlusal splint might take a little time before a patient starts to notice the benefits, a BOTOX injection into overactive and strained muscles can help stop TMJ-related pain in just a day or two. The procedure takes less than ten minutes, results should become apparent fairly quickly, and they can be trusted to last for about three to four months.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Can TMJ be cured permanently?
Although it is possible for the pain related to your TMJ disorder to fluctuate in severity over time, if it’s not going away on its own, there’s no need to prolong your suffering.
With BOTOX, results typically last between four and six months before they’ll need to be redone, but they can make a huge impact at lessening jaw pain and stiffness in the interim.
Occlusal splints permanently correct the misalignment of the jaw, alleviating tension and promoting lasting relief that most patients notice within just a few short weeks after the start of TMJ treatment in Springfield, and in most cases, you can achieve complete relief in as little as three to six months!
Is TMJ treatment safe?
Yes! Dr. Gramse extremely qualified to perform TMJ treatment in Springfield and can ensure that your options are all completely safe for you and your smile.
Because the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend treating temporomandibular joint disorders as minimally invasively as possible, Dr. Gramse prefers to begin with the most conservative treatments first.
Thankfully, in the over 120 years since dentists began treating TMJ disorders with occlusal splints, research has shown that these devices are both extremely safe and effective. For newer treatments like BOTOX, serious side effects are extremely rare, and most patients can enjoy temporary relief for up to six months.
How long does it take for BOTOX to work for TMJ?
Because it is delivered directly to the muscles via an injection, BOTOX is a fast, effective TMJ treatment in Springfield. In most cases, patients experience noticeable relief within a few short days, and results can often last up to six months, depending on your individual metabolism and the severity of your condition.
Please be aware that BOTOX injections may cause slight bruising and swelling at the injection site(s), but in most cases, these clear up on their own after about 48 hours.
In some cases, Dr. Gramse might recommend three injections spaced several weeks apart. This is because spreading them out can often make them last longer.
The good news is that if you don’t notice any improvement, or you aren’t satisfied with your results, you’ll suffer no negative side effects if you choose not to redo your injections once the effects wear off.
How long does it take for a TMJ splint to work?
In most cases, it takes between three and six months for an occlusal splint to alleviate your TMJ disorder pain. This treatment involves wearing your occlusal splint to bed each night. In many cases, patients experience almost immediate relief, but the longer they stick with the treatment, the better they feel.
Please be aware that these times are just averages; your exact results will depend on your individual anatomy, treatment plan, and how well you comply with your TMJ treatment in Springfield.
