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281 Cambridge St. Burlington, MA 01803
(781) 272-5890TMJ/TMD Therapy – Burlington, MA
Get Rid of Chronic Jaw Pain & Headaches
A stiff jaw, constant headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain can all stem from the same underlying problem: a strained or injured TMJ. The temporomandibular joint is the set of hinges in your lower jaw that allows it to move in all directions, and when it develops what is called a TMJ-disorder, or TMD, it can lead to a wide variety of oral and overall health issues. At our dental office, we help patients overcome these kinds of concerns every day using precise diagnostics and a variety of proven treatments. If you’re ready to get rid of facial pain and headaches, contact us today.
Why Choose Derek Song, DMD for TMJ/TMD Therapy?
- Able to diagnose & treat all TMD-issues in-house
- Botox injections provide fast pain relief
- Stop nighttime teeth grinding with a custom-made nightguard
Diagnosis & Treatment
The TMJ is an often overlooked part of oral health, but it’s one we never forget. We’ll examine your jaw at every regular checkup, and if we notice that you’re exhibiting any signs of TMD, we’ll perform a variety of tests to determine the root cause of the issue. With this information, we can then recommend one of the following treatments for complete relief:
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments
A TMD can often be the result of a misaligned bite, which prevents the muscles in the jaw from ever fully relaxing. This, in turn, leads to tension that can turn into pain felt throughout the entire face and head. With an equilibration/occlusal adjustment, we can restore balance to the bite and help the muscles reach their natural resting position. We do this by simply reshaping a few key teeth to ensure they come together properly.
Occlusal Splints
An occlusal splint is a type of custom-made oral appliance that can literally help a patient overcome TMJ-issues while they sleep. Worn to bed, the appliance fits over the teeth and slightly shifts the jaw into a more natural and relaxed position in order to help the strained muscles gradually heal themselves. After a few weeks of consistent use, the jaw will adapt to this new position, leading to sustained pain-relief for the patient.
Nightguards for TMD
Nocturnal teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can actually be both a cause and/or symptom of a TMD. Left untreated, it can severely wear down the teeth to the point that they eventually break, straining the already stressed jaw joint in the process. To protect against this, we can have a patient wear a nightguard to bed, which is a small oral appliance that simply places a barrier between the rows of teeth to prevent harmful contact during the night.
Botox® Injections for TMD
For patients in need of immediate pain relief for TMD issues, Botox can actually provide a targeted treatment that has been successfully used for many years. Similar to how it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, Botox is able to temporarily paralyze spasming jaw muscles that are causing discomfort. The procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes, results can usually be felt within a few days, and they can easily last for 4-5 months.