TMJ
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.
No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Urbanek and Dr. Urbina can help you have a healthier, more comfortable jaw.
Trouble with your jaw?
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.
Do You Have Jaw Pain You Think May be TMJ?
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Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?
- Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
- Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
- Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
- Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
- Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
- Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
- Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
- Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
- Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
- Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
- Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
- Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
- Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.
TMJ Treatment
There are various treatment options for TMJ that Drs. Urbanek and Urbina can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Drs. Urbanek or Urbina will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care combined with professional care.
The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasms and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:
- Resting your jaw
- Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
- Eating soft foods
- Applying ice and heat
- Exercising your jaw
- Practicing good posture
Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may also be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a TMJ Device. A TMJ Device (or nightguard) fits over your top or bottom teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A nightguard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night. It also helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relieves pressure on parts of your jaw, and aids in disk repositioning. It may be worn 24 hours/day to help your jaw heal. An orthotic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day, or just at night, to move your jaw into proper position. Appliances also help protect tooth wear.
What about bite correction or surgery?
If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options, such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring, are sometimes needed, but are reserved for severe cases. Drs. Urbanek and Urbina do not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and non-reducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.
Call our office at TMJ Services Office Phone Number 615-771-1983 or request an appointment online.
TMJ Services
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The only symptom I had was locking of my jaw and i could barely open my mouth but with the help of Dr.Urbanek and his device I can now open my mouth more and I can eat anything I want.
- Abbi G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have suffered with jaw pain, Trigeminal neuralgia, neck pain, shoulder, pain and migraines from TMJ for years. Sometimes the symptoms would last for months and could be debilitating. I never thought that a small device similar to a retainer could help resolve 90-95% of my symptoms. I was very skeptical, but had reached the point of desperation. This Urbanek dental device is truly a life savor. After 2 months of wearing it all day and night I saw a 60-70% reduction. Then after another 3 months of wearing it at night, I have had a full 90-95% reduction in my symptoms. It has been 5 months all together and I could not be more pleased with the results. This device is truly amazing in what it has for my livelihood and dad to day activities. I recommend it to anyone who suffers from severe TMJ symptoms.
- Kimberly T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great experience with Dr. Urbanek. Came in for an issue with TMJ and within 2 months my symptoms decreased by 90%. After consultation he took imprints of my mouth and bite and had a special bite guard built. I have followed his instructions to the letter and what he said would happen has happened. I can’t thank he and his staff enough. They are professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. As long as you follow his steps 100% you will have positive results and a solution to your problem. Thank you Dr. Urbanek and staff.
- Richard P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have struggled with TMJ for many years . I suffered with headaches pain in jaw . I went to several dentist some made mouth pieces for me that would not relief the pain. Others said nothing could be done. I prayed for answers, one night my grandson showed me a post on his face book where one of his friends mother had this problem and found a cure. It was with Dr. Urbanek.I was so excited to hear there might be help. Went to Dr. Urbanek’s have fitted with his device and all of my symptoms are gone, So Thankful,
- Sondra H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had increasing pain in my jaws, teeth, head, neck, and even down my arm. The pain started several years ago and came in cycles but kept getting worse. I saw several other doctors in many specalizations then was referred here. It took a while for the device to work fully, but after 9 months of wearing the device I can say the pain is gone and most of my other symptoms like ringing in my ears which goes back 35 years is getting better. I will keep wearing this device because it is helping me. Don’t give up. It may take a while, but I can say that it has definitely helped me.
- Brett G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in after dealing with years of pain in my jaw, jaw locking, migraines weekly and desperate for relief. I had tried everything I could think of to deal with the issues, while I was able to get temporary relief it always came back within a few days at most. Then I was referred to Dr. Urbanek. Within the first few weeks of using his device I had less pain and no migraines. After a few months I am pain free, for the first time in years! I wish I could have met him sooner, this has been a life changing experience. I am able to eat without having to worry if my jaw will lock, I don’t wake up in pain from either my jaw or my headaches. I never realized how limited TMJ had made my day to day life. I am so thankful for this experience.
- Jesi W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had jaw pain for over 20 years and just thought it would be something to “live with”, but after a referral to Dr. Urbanek thing have greatly improved. After treatment with the Urbanek splint (not a retainer), my painful symptoms of TMD are gone. The device has been a jaw-saver. I would 100% recommend that anyone with TMD visit Dr. Urbanek and start treatment. Jaw pain does not have to be something you “live with” anymore, this splint will help!
- Caleb K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had headaches, jawpain, neckpain, popping jaw, locking jaw, and ear ringing for around five years now. I had no idea what was going on, and was constantly burdened by the symptoms going on. Dr. Urbanek took the time to explain what was going on and told me that all of the pain could go away. He explained to me what the TMJ Splint was, how it works, and I was fitted for the device the same day. After 6 weeks of using the device the symptoms dramatically reduced, almost completely, and Dr. Urbanek explained that they would only continue to go down as more time passed. I am very glad to have come to Dr. Urbanek, and will be forever grateful for his help in getting rid of the painful symptoms of TMJ.
- Mikayla T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
When I came to this office over two years ago I was having chronic headaches muscle pains in my neck jaw pain excruciating right ear pain that would wake me up at night if I was to sleep on it. I had been evaluated by ENT, dentists and neurologist until I was asked if I would mind getting evaluated by Dr Urbanek, I said sure why not. The first visit he gave me a diagnosis TMJ, talked about the TMJ Splint and went ahead with making the splint. It was great after just a couple months my pain was now almost completely gone
- Julie R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Before coming to see Dr. Urbina, I was having severe migraines, jaw pain, & ear pain. Now after 6 weeks with my device, I have not had near as much pain. I am so grateful for him and his team.
- Molly H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a terrible earache for four months and continuous migraines. My earche is gone and with this device and medication, my migraines have stopped. I also can open my mouth a lot more without pain since using this device. I can tolerate this device better than the generic over the counter ones. I do recommend this.
- Nancy P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I’ve been plagued with symptoms of neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain for a long time and just assumed these were from stress. When I developed more focal jaw ache and consulted Dr. Urbanek, he immediately recognized these symptoms as all related to a jaw joint problem. As a physician, I realized his explanation not only made since but was essentially the only way all these symptoms could be linked. In a couple of months of following his simple plan, I am finally free of these problems from which I have been suffering for years!
- Ted A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Before being referred to Dr. Urbanek for my severe TMJ pain, earaches, and headaches, I was convinced I would have to deal with the pain for the rest of my life. When I was told there was hope for relief by using the TMJ Splint, I was so excited to get started on the process of getting it made. After wearing it for about a week, I could already tell a huge difference in the way my ears, jaws, and head felt. Dr. Urbanek and his device are a definite God send. Well worth every penny spent. I recommend him to everyone I speak with that has TMJ pain.
- Kimberly P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to Dr. Urbanek’s office because I was showing symptoms of TMJ. I had the headaches, the jaw popping along with the jaw pain, the ringing in my ears & everything else. With only 3 follow up visits and the TMJ Splint, I no longer have the pain!
- Taylor B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have struggled with TMJ for over 20 years. A friend told me about Dr. Urbanek and how the treatment helped her TMJ issues. I followed his instructions and have had significant improvement. I am thankful to have found someone to help.
- Stacey A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was pleasantly surprised by the dramatic difference this made for me. It shocked me to be able to honestly say that my symptoms has decreased by 80% after only three weeks. I wasn’t even aware of how drastic the issues were until after feeling the improvements and relief the mouth guard provided me.
- Allison F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Every year my jaw would pop and then I could no longer open it. Every time I swallowed, a piercing stabbing pain would shoot from my ear down my throat. It would last for 3-4 days and the pain was excruciating. After using my new TMJ device, my jaw no longer locks! It is the only thing that works. It has been amazing!
- Jenna
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr: Urbanek and his staff are extremely courteous and professional. I came to Dr Urbanek seeking help for TMJ symptoms. After fitting my mouth with the Urbanek splint; I began to find relief with the pain within a month. I am beginning to see improvement with sinuses issues after a couple of months. I highly recommended this practice and sincerely appreciate the kindness extended by all staff.
- Tammy P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had TMJ symptoms for many years with headaches, jaw pain, and numbness. After seeing Dr. Urbanek and being fitted with his device, I feel much better and my overall quality of life has improved. All of the staff are very helpful and friendly, and I would highly recommend Dr. Urbanek.
- Lucy B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Totally worth the cost to get the splint! My TMJ symptoms of pain, facial tiredness, and tinnunitus have been resolved. Everyone is wonderful and you are treated so well. Dr. Ubani works hard to make treatment plan work for you!
- Anita B