TMJ disorder treatment helps jaw pain, headaches, and other symptoms in Wichita, KS

TMJ disorder, which is also known as TMD, affects the temporomandibular joints in your jaw and can cause a wide variety of painful or uncomfortable symptoms. Many patients with TMJ disorder go undiagnosed because symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient, but Dr. David Koepsel in Wichita, KS is highly skilled in recognizing the disorder and providing effective treatment to stop its underlying causes instead of just easing symptoms. In fact, Dr. Koepsel suffered from TMJ disorder himself and understands the negative impact it can have on your quality of life. With his compassionate care, you can stop your jaw pain or other symptoms and get back to your normal life.

Symptoms and causes of TMJ disorder

Your temporomandibular joints are a set of joints that connect your jawbone to your skull and are important in making your jaw work properly as you talk, chew food, and smile throughout the day. You shouldn’t even need to be aware of them, but these joints can cause unpleasant symptoms of TMJ disorder when they are not optimally functioning.

The list of possible TMJ disorder symptoms is very long and each individual patient’s symptoms can be different. However, some of the most common symptoms that patients have are:

• Headaches that don’t have another identifiable cause
• Clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth
• Jaw pain when you wake up in the morning or when you chew or bite down
• Jaw stiffness or inability to easily open or close your mouth
• Signs of wear on your teeth that don’t have an obvious source such as gum disease or decay
• Neck, ear, or shoulder pain

There are a variety of causes for TMJ disorder and seeing a dentist such as Dr. Koepsel who is highly skilled in identifying the root cause is important for effectively treating the condition rather than just masking the symptoms. Common causes of TMJ disorder include traumatic injury to the jaw or the side of your mouth, teeth that are not aligned properly, a misaligned bite, and grinding or clenching your teeth. People who have arthritis or connective tissue diseases are also at a higher risk of developing the disorder.

Treatment for TMJ disorder

The first step in treating your TMJ issues is to schedule a consultation with a dentist who is experienced in treating and diagnosing the disorder. Dr. Koepsel will conduct a thorough physical examination of your teeth, jaw, and gums, and will discuss all your symptoms at length to determine the source of your issues. He will also take any x-rays or other images that are needed to fully understand what is happening in your jaw.

Based on what the dentist sees in the examination, he will recommend one or more treatment options tailored to your individual condition. Several types of treatment options can be effective in eliminating the source of your TMJ problems:

• Oral appliance: Many times, a special mouth guard that is custom-designed for your mouth can eliminate your TMJ issues. The appliance works by properly aligning your jaw and relieving the pressure that is placed on the temporomandibular joints. It is typically worn at night, but in some cases, it may need to be worn during the day. The appliance can reduce your headaches, protect your teeth from being damaged, and eliminate the stress on your joints for overall improved quality of life.
• Lifestyle changes: Simple lifestyle changes can also have a dramatic impact on your TMJ disorder. These include using ice packs to reduce inflammation, refraining from eating hard foods to allow your joints to heal, performing specific jaw exercises to stretch your jaw, and not chewing gum.
• Reduce stress: Stress management can also be an important part of your treatment plan. When you are stressed, you are more likely to clench your jaw and grind your teeth, so the dentist can discuss strategies to help manage your stress.
• Other treatments: Several other treatment options for TMJ disorder are also available, such as medications, injections, laser therapy, and in some cases, surgery.

Dr. Koepsel and his associates at East Wichita Dentist provide compassionate, personalized care to identify and treat your dental issues. Call the office, conveniently located in Wichita, KS, at (316) 215-7152 to schedule a consultation today!