TMJ Specialist Denver

If you struggle with face and jaw pain, you may find it tough to chew food, concentrate on work, or even take care of your family. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders aren’t just uncomfortable; they can also seriously degrade your quality of life.

TMJ disorders are very common. About 31% of adults have at least one TMJ symptom, such as headaches, teeth grinding, and pain in the jaw.

If those symptoms sound familiar, the good news is that a TMJ specialist in Denver, CO, can help. At MD Pain, we offer cutting-edge treatments that can relieve TMJ pain and help you do what you love without persistent pain.

What Are TMJ Disorders?

Temporomandibular joint disorders, also called temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are a family of conditions that affect your jaw joints, muscles, and ligaments.

You have two TMJs on both sides of your face, located right in front of your ears. These joints connect your lower jawbone to your skull. Without them, you’d have a lot of trouble speaking and chewing.

Doctors classify TMJ disorders into three categories:

TMD-related headaches
Chewing muscle disorders
Jaw joint disorders

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

It’s difficult to point to one single cause, but TMJ and TMDs often flare up because of:

Stress
Teeth that don’t fit together properly (malocclusion)
Arthritis in the jaw joint
Clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism)
Jaw injuries

If you have arthritis in other joints or have ever broken or dislocated your jaw, you have a higher risk of developing a TMJ disorder.

TMJ Disorder Symptoms

Are you suffering from TMJ disorders? If it hurts to talk or chew, you might be. Other symptoms of a TMJ disorder can include:

Clicking or popping sounds when you stretch your jaw
A feeling of tightness that makes it hard for you to open your mouth fully
Stabbing or shooting pains in the face
Earaches or a feeling of fullness in your ears
Toothaches, but no cavities
Neck or shoulder pain
Ringing or roaring in your ears (tinnitus)

Still not sure whether you have a TMJ disorder? Ask yourself these questions:

Do you have trouble using your front teeth to chew food?
Does your jaw or face hurt worse when you’re stressed?
Do you wake up with pain in your face or jaw?
Do you have frequent headaches?
Have you ever broken your jaw or injured your neck?
Do your teeth not touch properly when you bite down?
Has your dentist told you that your teeth are worn down?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a TMJ disorder.

TMJ Headaches and Migraines

TMJ disorders are notorious for causing tension headaches and migraines. If you frequently wake up with headaches that seem to have no other cause, it’s possible that you suffer from a TMJ disorder.

You can treat occasional TMJ-related headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, but migraines are another story entirely. Migraines can be so severe that you feel nauseous, dizzy, and completely intolerant to light and sound.

Other common triggers of migraines include:

Weather changes
A lack of quality sleep
Caffeine
Alcohol
Stress
Hormonal changes
Low blood sugar
Medications you’re taking

If you suffer from unexplainable headaches or migraines, a TMJ disorder could be the cause. At MD Pain, we offer customized treatments that can ease your headaches and may even stop them entirely.

Self-Care for TMJ Disorders

Many people with TMJ disorders can alleviate some of their symptoms with basic self-care.

Try these at-home treatment tips:

If you feel sharp pain in your jaws, apply a cold pack to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes. Ice packs can burn your skin, so keep them wrapped in a cloth to avoid minor frostbite.
If the pain in your jaw is dull rather than sharp, soak a washcloth in hot water and hold it against the area for about 20 minutes.
Try taking over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen, if your doctor says it’s safe for you to do so.
Practice good posture by sitting upright in your chair. Many people who work desk jobs tend to slump forward in their chairs, which can trigger back, neck, and TMJ pain.
Avoid grinding your teeth. A night guard can help if you grind your teeth while asleep.
Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods to give your jaw a chance to rest. If chewing is too painful, stick with soup or puree your food in a blender.
Avoid hard, crunchy foods or food that requires you to open your mouth wide, such as corn on the cob.
Cut your food into small pieces to make it easier to chew.
Avoid chewing on pens or pencils
Never use your teeth as tools (for example, to open soda cans or rip tags off of clothing)

If these tips don't relieve your pain, schedule a consultation with us at MD Pain to get to the root cause of your pain and address it at the source.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders

If self-care doesn’t resolve your TMJ pain, other treatments are available. Non-surgical options include:

Medication, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and muscle relaxers
A custom mouthguard that reduces teeth grinding
An anterior positioning appliance to help relieve pressure on your jaw
Ultrasound therapy, which promotes muscle relaxation and boosts blood flow
Trigger point injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) or corticosteroids
Physical therapy to strengthen jaw joints
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which employs low electrical currents to help relax jaw muscles

If your pain is severe, a TMJ specialist in Denver may suggest surgery. Options include:

TMJ arthroscopy, also called keyhole surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a small hole in front of your ear to remove scar tissue and reshape bone.
Open-joint surgery, which could be an option if keyhole surgery isn’t an option for you
Arthrocentesis, a procedure in which surgeons use a needle to remove fluid from around jaw joints

How Will Your Doctor Diagnose a TMJ Disorder?

Doctors can diagnose TMJ disorders with a simple physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will:

Press on your jaw and face to locate painful areas
Watch the range of motion when you open your mouth
Feel your jaw joints while you open and close your mouth

Doctors can also use several types of imaging tests to diagnose TMJ disorder. These include:

TMJ arthroscopy
MRI
CT scans
Dental X-rays

Take Back Your Life With MD Pain

If your TMJ disorder makes it hard for you to talk or chew, you don’t need to live with the pain. Our team at MD Pain has years of experience helping patients with TMJ disorder in Denver, CO, and nearby cities.

To make an appointment with a TMJ specialist in Denver, call our office at (303) 750-8100.