If you suffer from a sore jaw or if you hear it lock or click when you talk and eat, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. At the office of Kenneth Gonzales, DDS, PLLC in Corpus Christi, Texas, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders. To learn more, call Kenneth Gonzales, DDS, PLLC, or use the online scheduler to book now.
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint. Your TMJ connects your jaw to your skull. The disorder occurs when your jaw isn’t aligned properly. This misalignment causes pain and a number of other problems.
Common symptoms of TMJ are:
TMJ symptoms can mimic other conditions. Our provider performs a comprehensive evaluation before she makes a TMJ diagnosis.
There are several things that contribute to or cause TMJ. Some of them are:
Once it’s determined what’s causing your TMJ, our provider writes a treatment plan to eliminate the problem.
Until you can get into the office for a thorough exam, there are a few things you can do at home to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ. Try one or all of the following:
At-home remedies won’t resolve TMJ, but they can help make the pain bearable until you can get professional medical care.
Our provider physically examines your head, neck, jaw, and mouth to listen for popping or clicking, or places where your jaw might have gotten hung or locked. She takes an X-ray of your jaw and may request an MRI or CT scan to get a closer look at the source of your pain.
There are a lot of approaches and strategies that our provider uses to treat TMJ. Depending on what’s causing it and the severity of your TMJ, our provider may suggest:
If you’re suffering from symptoms related to TMJ, turn to the team at Kenneth Gonzales, DDS, PLLC. Call the office to set up an appointment or book online.
