Broomfield TMJ treatment helps you manage common activities like chewing, biting, yawning, and even speaking, which may come so naturally that you never consider how the jaw works. Thanks to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), your jaw can move up and down and side to side. The TMJ joint is the hinge-like area of your mouth where the jaw is connected to your skull. When this joint becomes diseased or damaged, it can cause painful symptoms and stress on your teeth and jaw.
TMJ symptoms can be temporary or they can last for several years and are not limited to just one side of your face. The most common symptoms treated with our Broomfield TMJ treatment include:
- Pain and tenderness in the face, jaw joint, ears or neck, and shoulders, specifically when using your jaw.
- Trouble opening your mouth wide.
- Jaws that stick or lock in either open or closed position.
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open and close your jaw.
- Uncomfortable bite, where the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly.
- Swelling of the face.
- Tension headaches or migraines.
- Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Many of the symptoms of TMJ can also be caused by other health conditions, including arthritis, sinus problems, or gum disease. Therefore, it’s important to ensure a proper diagnosis. At Broomfield Family Dentistry, we’ll discuss your symptoms and conduct a thorough exam, including imaging or assessments of your jaw function and occlusion, as part of our Broomfield TMJ treatment plan.
Treating TMJ
Dr. Sweeny and his team subscribe to the theory of centric relation when treating TMJ disorders. Centric relation is the physiological position of the jaw that is ideal for reducing stress and maintaining proper alignment. Our Broomfield TMJ treatment focuses on achieving this natural alignment of the joint to alleviate painful TMJ symptoms.
Our Broomfield TMJ treatment addresses TMJ disorders using splint orthotics, which help stabilize the joint into its centric relation position. Bite splints used in this treatment ensure that the temporomandibular joint remains correctly positioned in the socket, allowing all teeth to come together simultaneously when you close your jaw. These splints are worn daily, not just at night, providing relief and freedom of movement.
Splint therapy is used both diagnostically and therapeutically at our office. By reducing stress on the joint, the splint allows the muscles to rehabilitate and stimulate proper healing. Our Broomfield TMJ treatment remains conservative yet effective, providing the relief you deserve.
If you’re suffering from TMJ disorder, let Dr. Sweeny evaluate your jaw and recommend an appropriate treatment for your situation. Don’t suffer any longer!