Dentist Serving Huntsville, AL

The “Temporomandibular Joint,” more commonly referred to as the “jaw joint,” assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. Unfortunately, this joint is a common area for recurring pain. A popping sound in the jaw may indicate a TMJ dysfunction. It is important for us to do an evaluation even if you feel you are functioning properly.

We offer a TMJ exam that evaluates the joint tissue in the “hinge” of the jaw. Possible problems include swelling; deterioration of the joint tissue; or damaged joint tissue (which cushions the jaw bones during the opening and closing movement of the mouth). Common pain relievers and warm moist compresses can provide temporary relief for most cases of TMJ discomfort. A proper mounted bite evaluation with Doppler and radiographic examination of the TMJ can provide a diagnosis for more definitive treatment.

For more serious cases of TMJ, we will recommend alternate treatments. Often, we will suggest using a mouth guard to relieve teeth grinding. In some cases, we will instruct you to use orthodontic appliances or retainers to alleviate discomfort or redirect positioning of the TMJ joint. For the most severe cases of TMJ, we may recommend certain invasive procedures.