TMJ Disorders

The TMJ, also known as the temporomandibular joint, connects the jaw to the skull and is located in front of the ears on both sides of the face. This joint is very important because it is responsible for helping the jaw move. We use our TMJ every day to eat, speak, and breathe. With a TMJ disorder, the jaw joint cannot function correctly and may cause pain, jaw popping or clicking, jaw stiffness, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Drs. Seeger, Gleason, and Inverso are board-certified oral surgeons who diagnose and treat TMJ disorders to help patients find relief from pain, as well as restore function to the jaw joint. If you are experiencing TMJ pain, contact Westwood Oral Surgery & Dental Implants at our offices in Woodbury Heights or Pennsville, NJ. Our surgeons offer surgical and non-surgical treatment options to manage TMJ disorders.

What Causes a TMJ Disorder?

A TMJ disorder may be the result of facial trauma, arthritis, bite problems, or bruxism, which is a teeth grinding or teeth clenching problem. Sometimes the cause of a patient’s TMJ pain is unknown.

If it is known that you grind or clench your teeth, you can prevent TMJ disorder from starting or worsening. This can be done by practicing stress management techniques or wearing a night guard if you have the habit of grinding your teeth when you sleep. While it is not proven that you can prevent TMJ disorders, you can reduce the risk by reducing stress, practicing good sleep habits, and scheduling regular dental exams.

Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder

You can get quicker relief from these symptoms and restore function to the joint if you get an early TMJ disorder diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us to schedule an appointment to explore your TMJ treatment options:

• Jaw stiffness, pain, or tenderness
• Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
• Ear aches, or pain around the ear
• Difficulty chewing
• Headaches
• Locking, popping, clicking, and/or grinding of the jaw

Treatment for TMJ Disorders

At your first consultation, we will perform imaging to evaluate the temporomandibular joint. With these images, we can indicate if there is injury to the jaw joint or surrounding structures. This will help us design a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs.

The goal of treatment is to relieve joint pain and muscle spasms. Non-surgical treatment is almost always recommended before considering surgical treatment. Most patients find relief from their symptoms with lifestyle changes and non-surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatments include:

• Pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Muscle relaxants
• Oral splints or mouth guards
• Physical therapy
• Stress management techniques
• Eating soft foods
• Applying heat and ice to the TMJ
• Improving posture

If your bite is misaligned or your teeth do not fit properly within the jaw, you may need orthodontic treatment. If you cannot get your desired results with non-surgical approaches, then surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:

• Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery)
• Corticosteroid injections
• BOTOX^® injections
• Arthroscopy
• Open joint repair

There are many types of treatments available, and we will guide you through all of your options to help you make the best informed decision. Treating your TMJ disorder can relieve painful symptoms and restore your eating and speaking abilities with a functioning jaw joint.

BOTOX for TMJ Disorders

BOTOX has shown to be an effective way for many patients to treat their TMJ disorders. BOTOX works by temporarily paralyzing select muscles, preventing them from contracting. For TMJ disorder treatment, BOTOX helps to relax the muscles surrounding the joint, providing pain relief.

Since the effects of BOTOX are temporary, repeat injections are often recommended for continued relief. In general, one BOTOX injection to the TMJ lasts about 3 months. There is also no downtime from this procedure, so you can get back to your routine right away.