Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in Pasadena, CA
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Contact UsWhat is TMJ Therapy?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the place where your jaw connects to your skull to enable you to close and open your jaw smoothly. Sometimes the TMJ is injured or damaged, leading to a debilitating condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder (TMD). If you are having pain or hearing noises when you open your jaw, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Husam Elias to determine if you have TMD. At The Pacific Coast Center for Oral, Facial & Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Elias utilizes advanced tools to diagnose and care for your TMD to ease the pain. Your TMJ therapy will be based on the cause of your TMD and your particular condition, but some choices are oral appliances (mouth or night guards), bite adjustment, dental restorations, and much more.
What to Expect with TMJ Therapy
TMD could be caused by an injury to the jaw, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, or misalignment of the teeth. Other conditions that can lead to TMD include a tumor in the TMJ or arthritis. Sometimes the reason behind TMD is uncertain, but if you are having signs and symptoms, Dr. Elias can still diagnose and treat your jaw. A few of the most typical signs of TMD are tenderness or pain at the temporomandibular joint, involuntary contractions in your face muscles, feeling as though your jaw is stiff or stuck, and frequent headaches that start near your ears.
To help diagnose TMD, a member of our team will carefully listen to and understand your concerns before performing a physical examination. During the exam, we will assess the movement of your jaw and look for signs of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment. They will also feel the jaw and surrounding area for any tenderness and inflammation. We may want to take digital x-rays of your lower face or a bite analysis to look for underlying causes that may determine your treatment method. Based on the exam, we will go over your treatment options, which may include a dental appliance, orthodontics, or dental restorations (crowns, bridges, and dentures).
Along with procedures to solve the root cause of your TMD, Dr. Elias can suggest other strategies to ease pain and other symptoms at home. This may include a soft food diet, avoiding chewing gum and biting your nails, heat packs on your jaw, and relaxation techniques. Dr. Elias may also give you exercises to strengthen your jaws or prescribe medicine to relax your facial muscles (and to ease pain, nervousness, or inflammation). Continue to go to follow-up appointments so Dr. Elias can check the progress of your TMJ treatment. If your treatment isn't working, he might look at another strategy.
Pacific Coast Center Reviews
Dr. Elias and his staff, especially Katrina, helped me with a TMJ issue. Dr. Elias is extremely professional and provided relief after seeing multiple dentists and specialists for jaw pain/migraines. His calm manner and expertise will help put you at ease when discussing the problem you are there to fix. Katrina went above and beyond to discuss issues with my health insurance regarding imaging and surgery. I am still in the process of being treated for TMJ, but so far, this first day experience was top notch and needed to be recognized!
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Schedule Your Advanced TMD Treatments
Pain in your jaw can make it hard to eat, speak, and enjoy your everyday life. Since there are lots of causes, symptoms, and remedies to treat TMD, make a consultation with Dr. Elias at his practice in Pasadena, CA. He will perform a detailed examination before diagnosing the problem and discussing treatment options. Contact our team at The Pacific Coast Center for Oral, Facial & Cosmetic Surgery to get more information, and schedule your appointment.
