TMJ Disorders Treatment in Provo, UT

Understanding TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders (TMD) encompass a range of conditions affecting this joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that affects eating, speaking, and quality of life. TMD is one of the most common causes of facial pain after toothache.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Common TMJ disorder symptoms include: pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders; pain in or around the ear when chewing, speaking, or opening the mouth wide; clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth; difficulty or discomfort chewing; a feeling that the upper and lower teeth don't fit together properly; locking of the jaw (difficulty opening or closing); and headaches, especially in the morning. Not all TMJ symptoms require treatment — many resolve on their own.

Causes of TMJ Disorders

TMD can result from injury to the jaw or joint, grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism), arthritis in the joint, displacement of the articular disc (the cushion between the ball and socket), stress-related muscle tension, and skeletal discrepancies in jaw position. Often, multiple factors contribute to TMD, making accurate diagnosis essential for effective treatment.

Treatment Options

Dr. Jenkins takes a conservative-first approach to TMJ treatment. Conservative therapies include a soft diet, heat application, anti-inflammatory medications, night guards or occlusal splints, physical therapy, stress management, and prescription muscle relaxants. When conservative therapy fails, surgical options include steroid injections, Botox, arthrocentesis (joint lavage), arthroscopy, disc repositioning, disc removal, or total joint replacement. Surgery is reserved for patients with a specific, correctable structural problem who have not responded to conservative care.

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