Game-Changing TMJ Treatment Options in Portland

Dealing with TMJ pain can be a daily struggle. Luckily, effective modern treatment options can change your experience of a painful, popping, clicking, grating jaw. South Waterfront Dental offers excellent support plus innovative Botox treatments to treat TMJ in Portland.

TMJ/TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) affects the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. It can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw, face and sometimes the neck and shoulders. TMJ can be caused by teeth grinding, jaw injury, arthritis or stress.

Symptoms include:

•Jaw stiffness

•Difficulty in moving the jaw

•Clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth

•Headaches

•Aching in and around the ear

•Migraines

•Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

If you’re feeling pain in your jaw, the first person to talk to is your family doctor or dentist.

Our South Portland dental office can walk you through some options that may help in your case:

Custom Mouthguards: Specialized mouthguards reduce jaw strain and prevent teeth grinding, which can exacerbate TMJ symptoms.

Restorative Dental Procedures: Misaligned teeth can contribute to TMJ. Procedures like orthodontics or dental crowns can align the bite, reducing stress on the jaw joint.

Botox: Botox injections, administered by trained dental professionals, relieve TMJ symptoms by relaxing the jaw muscles. This relatively new approach reduces pain and improves jaw function.

Alongside these treatments, you might consider lifestyle changes like stress management and specific jaw exercises.

South Waterfront Dental offers personalized consultations to determine the best approach for each individual.

You probably already know Botox can alleviate wrinkles, but did you know it also relaxes the jaw? This helps relieve TMJ symptoms.

The jaw relaxes, and symptoms like headaches and facial pain are reduced. This treatment is especially helpful for people who haven’t found relief through traditional dental interventions like mouthguards or physical therapy. Additionally, Botox offers a non-invasive option with minimal side effects.

Call our office to schedule a consultation. Be sure to write down your symptoms as you experience them so that you can share this information with your dentist in South Portland.

To diagnose TMJ disorders, Dr. Todd Beck will feel your jaw as you open and close your mouth, observe the range of motion and press on areas around the jaw to identify pain. He’ll also listen carefully for telltale popping.

If Dr. Beck recommends a Botox treatment, the procedure only takes about 30 minutes. You should start to feel relief within 24-48 hours. Re-administration is typically needed every three to six months.

TMJ, while challenging, can be managed with the right combination of dental interventions and lifestyle adjustments. At South Waterfront Dental we tailor TMJ treatment to your specific needs.

If you’re tired of clicking and pain in your jaw, contact our office today. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Beck — we’ll make sure you get the help you deserve.