Skilled TMJ Therapy in Sunnyvale

Image of a woman smiling while sitting in a dental operating chair.

 

Whether you suffer from dull, constant jaw pain or you experience chronic morning headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders may be at the heart of your problem. Temporomandibular joint disorders, often called TMD or TMJ, refer to various conditions that affect your jaw joints, muscles, and ligaments. At Long Creek Dental, we're proud to provide time-tested TMJ therapy to help relieve your pain and improve your overall quality of life.

As a holistic-focused practice, we know that your smile plays an integral role in your overall health. That's why our office doesn't treat TMD with medications, preferring non-surgical appliances that reduce the impact on the other systems in your body. Dr. William B. Langston III and his team look forward to helping you take the first step toward healthier and pain-free jaws. Call us today to schedule your appointment and get the Sunnyvale TMJ therapy you deserve!

CALL US: (972) 360-9400 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

7 Signs You May Need TMJ Therapy Treatments

One of the most challenging aspects of treating TMD is that it can be difficult to recognize its signs. Although each symptom is easily recognized, pinpointing the underlying cause isn't as straightforward. That's why it's important to visit our practice, where we can leverage our extensive skills and experience to accurately diagnose your TMD and create a comprehensive treatment plan. If you're unsure whether you're dealing with TMD, some of the most common signs include:

  1. Persistent jaw pain
  2. Chronic headaches or migraines
  3. Jaw stiffness
  4. Difficulty opening or closing your jaws
  5. Popping or clicking when closing your mouth
  6. Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
  7. Constant shoulder or neck pain

How We Approach TMJ Pain

When you visit our practice for the first time, Dr. Langston III and his team will conduct an extensive exam to determine if TMD is the source of your pain. By using various diagnostic techniques and asking you questions, we can ascertain the progression of your disorder, including how it's affected your airways and its severity.

Once our team has determined that you're suffering from TMD, we'll go over your personalized treatment plan with you. We encourage you to ask questions about your plan, as we never want you to feel like you're being rushed or pressured. Typically, our approach to TMJ therapy is broken down into two phases.

Phase One: The first phase is the creation of custom-made bite splints, which are plastic appliances that fit over your upper and lower teeth. Bite splints control how your teeth hit one another and reposition your jaws to interact more comfortably and naturally. Over time, your jaws will begin to rest in the new positions, which helps relieve stress on your jaw joints and alleviates muscle tension.


Phase Two: Phase two is ideal for patients who need additional assistance treating their TMD. Our dental team uses orthopedic orthodontics to address more severe or persistent TMD. As your teeth grow and develop, they do so alongside your chin and jaws. As such, when you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it can go together with facial irregularities. By aligning your teeth, we can improve even the most severe TMD symptoms.

TMJ Treatment FAQs

At Long Creek Dental, we never want you to feel like you aren't being given the information you need. That's why our friendly and responsive team is here to answer any of your questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions about TMJ treatment include:

How long do I have to wear my bite splint?

Although every patient is different, bite splints shouldn't be worn for more than six months. We recommend wearing your bite splint only at night as overwearing it can prove harmful. Our team will provide you with detailed instructions on how long you need to wear your bite splits.

Although minor cases of TMD may go away without treatment, moderate to severe cases require treatment. Dr. Langston III and his team will work closely with you to determine what treatment options are right for your TMD.

TMD is characterized by sporadic flare-ups that can cause you pain and discomfort. Typically, flare-ups can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Professional treatment can help reduce your flare-ups and make your TMD more manageable.

Sunnyvale TMJ Therapy for You

At Long Creek Dental, we're passionate about pairing our years of experience with cutting-edge appliances to address even the most severe cases of TMD. We know how much jaw pain can negatively impact your quality of life, and our team is here to help you get back on track. Call us or visit our office to schedule your next appointment and take the first step toward receiving high-quality Sunnyvale TMJ therapy!

CALL US: (972) 360-9400 REQUEST APPOINTMENT


Back

Connect With Us

Ready to come in for an appointment?
Contact us today!