TMJ Therapy in Pipe Creek, TX
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Contact UsWhat Is TMJ Therapy?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the place where your jaw connects to your skull to enable you to close and open your jaw smoothly. Sometimes the TMJ is injured or damaged, leading to a debilitating condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder (TMD). If you are having pain or hearing noises when you open your jaw, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Carolyn Walker to determine if you have TMD. At her office, Pipe Creek Dental Center in Pipe Creek, TX, Dr. Walker utilizes advanced tools to diagnose and care for your TMD to ease the pain. Your TMJ therapy will be based on the cause of your TMD and your particular condition, but some choices are oral appliances (mouth or night guards), bite adjustment, dental restorations, and much more.
What to Expect with TMJ Therapy
TMD could be brought about by an injury to the jaw, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, or dental malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). Other conditions that can lead to TMD include a tumor in the TMJ or arthritis. Sometimes the reason behind TMD is uncertain, but if you are having signs and symptoms, Dr. Walker can still diagnose and treat your jaw. A few of the most typical signs of TMD are tenderness or pain at the temporomandibular joint, involuntary contractions in your face muscles, feeling as though your jaw is stiff or stuck, and frequent headaches that start near your ears.
To help diagnose TMD, a member of our team will carefully listen to and understand your concerns before performing a physical examination. During the exam, we will assess the movement of your jaw and look for signs of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment. They will also feel the jaw and surrounding area for any tenderness and inflammation. We may want to take digital x-rays of your lower face or a bite analysis to look for underlying causes that may determine your treatment method. Based on the exam, we will go over your treatment options, which may include a dental appliance, orthodontics, or dental restorations (crowns, bridges, and dentures).
Along with procedures to solve the root cause of your TMD, Dr. Walker can suggest other strategies to ease pain and other symptoms at home. This may include a soft food diet, avoiding chewing gum and biting your nails, heat packs on your jaw, and relaxation techniques. Dr. Walker may also give you exercises to strengthen your jaws or prescribe medicine to relax your facial muscles (and to ease pain, nervousness, or inflammation). Continue to go to follow-up appointments so Dr. Walker can check the progress of your TMJ treatment. If your treatment isn't working, she might look at another strategy. Once your TMD is treated, you should still schedule yearly dental examinations at Pipe Creek Dental Center to keep your jaw and teeth healthy.
Pipe Creek Dental Center Reviews
Staff is awesome. Dr Walker is amazing. Thank you for excellent service.
This was by far the very best dental experience I have ever had! Everyone was nice, inviting and personable! I can actually say I had the best time at my new dentist!!!
Great work
Highly professional and courteous staff! They were able to see me on short notice. However, I had a simple extraction done and, when it was all said and done, it cost me a whopping $480. Perhaps I was billed incorrectly, but that is on the high side for a simple extraction, compared to what others in the area would charge. I only went here because the dentist I normally use was booked. Other than that, highly professional and friendly.Great if you have a dental emergency and can't get a quick appointment anywhere else.
Took my 13 yo son there, with his Arkansas smile. They made him feel very comfortable and welcome. He said he felt no pain and he liked the people there. 9 cavities filled and teeth look really good. The walks around showing everyone his new Bandera Smile. Thanks guys he will be back for his next dental checkup in 6 months
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Schedule Your Advanced TMD Treatments
Pain in your jaw can make it hard to eat, speak, and enjoy your everyday life. Since there are lots of causes, symptoms, and remedies to treat TMD, make a consultation with Dr. Walker at her practice in Pipe Creek, TX. She will perform a detailed examination before diagnosing the problem and discussing treatment options. Contact our team at Pipe Creek Dental Center to get more information and schedule your appointment.
Learn More About Pipe Creek Dental Center
About UsTMJ Therapy FAQs
Does TMJ cause headaches/migraines?
We often find that our Pipe Creek, TX patients correlate their headaches and migraines with their TMJ symptoms. It can also cause chronic inflammation and pain around your cheekbone and ear areas. If you notice these symptoms, you may wish to consult with Dr. Walker to get a diagnosis and move towards healing.
How long will TMJ therapy take?
The severity of your case may impact the length of your therapy. Mild to moderate cases may resolve more quickly than severe ones. We will provide an estimate of treatment length and TMJ severity in your consultation as well.
Where does TMJ come from?
A variety of environmental and genetic factors can contribute to the rise of TMJ. Clenching your jaw (bruxism), genetic inheritance, and poor posture all have the potential to lead to TMJ. At Pipe Creek Dental, we will likely be able to determine the cause of your TMJ in your consultation appointment.