Dr. Mamta Kori and the team at K&E Advanced Dentistry in Franklin, OH offer solutions for patients who have been diagnosed with conditions such as TMJ or TMD. Many patients want to know what treatments are available for them to reduce pain and discomfort that results from the malfunction of the temporomandibular joint. Our dentist can evaluate patients, provide a proper diagnosis, and discuss the treatment options available.

What is TMJ-TMD?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the joint that hinges the jaw, so it can open and close. Sometimes, this joint can begin to malfunction, and it can affect the muscles surrounding it, resulting in inflammation and pain. Patients may experience severe discomfort that can result in a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.

What are the signs and symptoms of TMJ-TMD?

When patients are experiencing the following symptoms, they may want to speak to their dentist to determine if they have the condition:

• Chronic pain and discomfort around the jaw joint area
• Discomfort from the shoulders through the neck and head
• Chronic headaches and migraines resulting from tension in the jaw area
• Clicking and popping of the jaw joint while eating or speaking
• Locking of the jaw in the open or closed position

How is the condition diagnosed?

TMJ-TMD can be diagnosed with the help of a dentist who has experience in the area of diagnosing and treating conditions of the temporomandibular joint. The team at K&E Advanced Dentistry can work with patients and evaluate them to determine if they have this condition. A combination of x-rays and visible evaluation is used to diagnose the disorder. Once patients have been diagnosed, they can speak to their dentist about appropriate treatment options.

Who is at risk of developing TMJ-TMD?

Anyone can be diagnosed with this condition. It does not appear to have a genetic link, and dentists are unsure of what causes the joint to begin malfunctioning. Fortunately, our team is well-versed in finding the signs of TMJ-TMD and has years of combined experience in treating the condition for patients in and around the area of Franklin, OH.

What treatments are available for patients with TMJ-TMD issues?

When patients receive their diagnosis, they educate themselves about their disorder and work with our team to develop effective therapies that can be used in treating the condition. There are a variety of ways in which the condition can be treated, and our team will focus on the less invasive solutions first before opting for more expensive solutions such as orthodontics and surgery. Some options our patients may want to consider for treatment include:

• Cold compresses
• Medications with anti-inflammatory properties
• Muscle relaxers
• Specialized mouth guards/oral appliances
• Biofeedback
• Relaxation techniques for TMJ/TMD caused by stress
• Physical therapy exercises

Which treatment is right for me?

It can be difficult to decide which treatment works best for a patient. Some patients respond to simple therapies and stress reduction techniques while others may need a more hands-on approach such as physical therapy or biofeedback treatments. Our team starts off with the least invasive solutions first and then determines if patients are seeing results. If not, we continue to move through the line of treatments to find out what option works best for an individual. There is no “one size fits all” solution for our patients, so sometimes, trial and error is necessary to find the right therapy for an individual.

Discuss treatment for TMJ, TMD, and other conditions with our experienced dental team

At K&E Advanced Dentistry, our patients are our number one priority. We work hard to ensure they have solutions available to them for their oral health care needs. If you are faced with a diagnosis of TMJ or TMD and are ready to discuss the treatment options available to you, we encourage you to book a consultation appointment with our practice by calling (855) 912-7677. We have a practice located in Franklin, OH at 3420 Atrium Boulevard. We serve patients in and around the community, providing general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry solutions for adults.