TMJ Treatment Baltimore, MD

Your temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull. This joint allows your jaw to move. A TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the function of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that control it. It can cause pain, discomfort, and affect your quality of life. This common condition affects millions of people. Horizon Family Dental Care offers TMJ treatment in Baltimore, MD for patients who suffer from this condition.

TMJ treatment in Baltimore, MD

What Causes My TMJ Disorder?

There are many things that can contribute to TMJ disorders. However, the true causes may not fully be known. The following things may contribute to the development of TMJ disorders:

  • Trauma or injury to the jaw joint or the muscles surrounding it.
  • Arthritis, which can cause inflammation and damage to the joint.
  • Stress or anxiety, which can cause clenching or grinding of the teeth, leading to muscle tension in the jaw.
  • Misalignment of the teeth or jaw, which can cause the muscles to work harder to bring the jaw into position.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?

The symptoms of a TMJ disorder can be painful and affect your life. Symptoms can be mild or intense and hard to manage. It may be hard to diagnose a TMJ disorder since the symptoms are shared with other medical issues. Please contact your dentist if you suffer from some of the following TMJ symptoms:

  • Pain or tenderness in the jaw joint or muscles around the jaw
  • Difficulty or discomfort when opening or closing the mouth
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when moving the jaw
  • Aching pain in or around the ear
  • Headaches or neck pain
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Changes in the way the teeth fit together

TMJ Treatment in Baltimore, MD

If you are showing signs of TMJ issues, your dentist will examine your teeth and jaw and discuss your lifestyle habits. This way they can suggest the best treatment to help you find relief from your TMJ symptoms. Ultimately, the best way to treat TMJ disorders is to rest the jaw joints as much as possible. However, we understand that this may hard and some damage may have already occurred. A common sign of TMJ is teeth grinding. This habit alone can create a lot of damage to your teeth. After your exam, your dentist may recommend any of the following to treat your TMJ:

Oral Appliance Therapy

A dental oral appliance is a tool that dentists use to help patients who suffer from teeth grinding, a common cause and symptom of TMJ disorders. Also called a nightguard, a TMJ mouthguard is worn at night while you sleep. We will custom make it so that it fits snuggly in your mouth. It will your jaw in the proper position while you sleep to prevent grinding and take the tension off the jaw joints. To learn more about how mouthguards can treatment teeth grinding visit Custom Mouthguards.

Restorative Dentistry

For patients who grind their teeth often, we also offer several restorative dentistry treatments to fix the damage it causes. Constant grinding and clenching can lead to worn down, chipped, or cracked teeth. Restorative treatment includes dental crowns, tooth bonding, dental veneers or other necessary dental treatments. Learn more about our various restorative treatments by visiting Restorative Dentistry.

Invisalign

If your teeth are crooked or out of alignment, then you may benefit from Invisalign. This clear aligner orthodontic treatment can bring your teeth into proper alignment slowly. It is a discreet treatment and it is more comfortable compared to normal brackets. Learn how Invisalign treatment works by visiting Invisalign.

Your dentist will also discuss things you can do at home to reduce the tension you put on your jaw. Certain lifestyle changes may be all you need to rest your jaw. This may include avoiding chewy foods, reducing your stress, and using relaxation techniques.


TMJ disorders can be very painful and interfere with your quality of life. Our Baltimore dental team can help you find relief from the painful symptoms. To learn more about our TMJ treatments in Baltimore, MD, book a consultation today.