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Get Relief from TMJ Pain

TMJAt TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, located in Homewood, we specialize in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular joint disorders (“TMJD” for short). The American Dental Association states that TMD affects more than 15% of adults nationwide, and the condition can impact all areas of the face, leaving sufferers in tremendous pain.

 

Our dental treatments for TMJ dysfunction and discomfort include medical-grade oral splints, infrared/red light therapy, proper medications, supplementation, trigger point injections, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) injections, and many other modalities. Each patient’s treatment is tailored to their source of pain, so no two treatment plans are exactly alike.

 

If left untreated, severe cases may require surgery to repair the jaw joint(s). Treatment times may vary, so consult an orofacial pain specialist, like Dr. Hartsfield, to prevent the need for surgery and discuss your best treatment plan.

Understanding Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain

 

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect the lower jawbone (formally the “mandible”) to the temporal bone at the bottom of the skull on the left and right sides of the head. You can feel these joints sliding and turning in your jaw just in front of your ears whenever you open and close your mouth. Symptoms of TMJ disorders can range from mild to chronic pain, including jaw joint pain, facial pain, pain in the upper and lower teeth, discomfort in attached structures such as muscles and ligaments, ear pain, headaches, and migraines.

Three Types of TMJ Disorder

TML Neuropathic Pain

There are three main types of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), characterized by the site of pain manifestation.

 

Jaw Joint Disorders, the most common type, affect the TMJ joints directly, often involving disc displacement, inflammation, or degeneration of the joint structure. Patients with this type of TMD typically feel pain localized around the joint area, just in front of the ear.

 

Headache-Inducing TMD involves referred pain from the jaw that shows up as chronic headaches, including tension-type headaches and migraines. Patients with this type often see multiple doctors before finding out their jaw was the source all along.

 

Chewing Muscle Disorders, formerly known as myofascial pain disorders, affect the muscles responsible for jaw movement. They cause pain, stiffness, and fatigue during activities like eating and talking. This is the most common type of TMD and often responds well to conservative treatments like oral splints and physical therapy.

TMD Symptoms

 

If you regularly experience any of the following symptoms, temporomandibular joint dysfunction may be the source:

 

  • Facial, neck, or shoulder aches when you chew, speak, or open your mouth widely
  • Inability to fully open your mouth without jaw pain
  • Jaw locking
  • Jaw clicking
  • Difficulty in controlling jaw movement
  • Jaw discomfort when biting
  • Swelling of the surrounding muscles in the cheek area
  • Toothaches, headaches, or neck aches
  • Dizziness
  • Hearing loss
  • Ear pain
  • Migraines

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you’re in the Birmingham area, don’t wait for them to get worse before you call us. Many of our patients from all over the Southeast come to us after months or even years of unexplained jaw pain. An accurate diagnosis from a board-certified TMJ specialist is the fastest path to relief.

Causes of Temporomandibular Jaw Joint (TMJ) Pain

 

The exact cause of TMD has yet to be identified, but dentists believe symptoms could stem from problems with jaw muscles or parts of the jaw joint. Although a sole cause does not lead to TMJ symptoms, there are a few common culprits.

 

Orofacial Complications

TMJ disorders involve pain in orofacial (interconnected oral and facial) structures such as the jaw muscles and jaw joint, so other orofacial-related complications, like a lower jaw injury, obstructive sleep apnea, teeth grinding or clenching, or the strain of treatments like orthodontic braces, may contribute, as well as autoimmune disorders.

 

Arthritis

Patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can be especially susceptible to TMJ pain. Different types of arthritis can affect the jaw joints by deteriorating bone or fibrocartilage.

 

Stress

Many people clench or grind (formerly known as bruxism) their jaw when stressed, so stress-induced jaw or facial muscle tightening is another common risk factor for TMDs. Stress can also refer pain to the TMJ without a patient having bruxism.

  • Jaw Popping

TMJ Diagnosis and Specialist Care

Start by visiting your general healthcare provider or dentist. Describe your TMJ pain, related symptoms, and how you believe they are associated with TMJ disorders.

 

Temporomandibular joint disorders are usually diagnosed by a TMJ specialist, not by general care dentists or doctors.

 

At our office, Dr. Hartsfield typically begins with a careful physical exam and clinical interview, assessing your pain level and listening for joint clicking or popping. From there, additional diagnostic tests may include:

 

  • MRI Scans
  • CT Scans
  • Blood work
  • Diagnostic injections

Effective TMJ Treatments and Ways to Manage and Ease Pain

 

Although there is no “cure-all” treatment for TMJ dysfunction, many promising options are available to help reduce symptoms of TMJ disorders, such as aching and soreness in the face and jaw muscles.

Physical Therapy and Chiropractic

Physical Therapy is one of the most beneficial treatment options for TMJ dysfunction and its complications. Any physical therapist specializing in TMJ dysfunction will instruct patients on effective relaxation techniques (especially for stress-related TMJ problems), how to gently stretch to relieve stiffness in the orofacial area (without overdoing it), how to practice good posture, and how to correct poor posture.

Night Guards for TMJ Relief

Mouth guards and oral splints create a barrier between your top and bottom jaw to prevent teeth grinding and can also help to bring the lower jaw into proper alignment to ease discomfort.

TMJ Massage and Other Nonsurgical Treatments

If you want to avoid going to an oral surgeon for pain relief, there are several nonsurgical treatment options to explore. One of the best is TMJ massage. You’ll want to look for licensed massage therapists with special training for clients suffering from TMJ pain.

 

Other nonsurgical treatments for TMJ disorders include:

 

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nonsurgical therapy clinicians administer using a device with the same name. In this massage-like treatment, clinicians put small, harmless, sticky pads onto the areas where patients feel aches and soreness. Attached to the band-aid-like appliques are wires hooked to the TENS machine, which transmit low-level electric pulses to the nerves, manually relaxing the jaw and facial muscles.
  • Botox, corticosteroid injections, or dry needling at trigger points.
  • Deep tissue heat therapy administered via ultrasound.
  • Radiowave therapy that increases blood flow to facilitate faster healing.
  • PRF
  • Infrared/red light therapy

Medication for Pain Relief

As with most painful disorders, a standard treatment for TMJ disorder involves medication. These medications may include:

 

Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants, particularly tricyclics, can be effective for chronic pain management because they affect how the nervous system processes pain signals.

 

Over-the-counter medications like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, and Ibuprofen, are often effective. With excessive use, though, they can lead to liver and kidney problems. One way to mitigate this side effect is rotating between those with different ingredients; you should also avoid taking them to prevent pain and instead take them when soreness begins.

 

Anti-anxiety medications: The medications are sometimes a short-term option to treat TMJ by reducing jaw clenching, muscle spasms, and stress-driven pain.

 

Prescription medications: Stronger pain relievers can be prescribed for TMJ problems, but they should be taken with caution and professional monitoring because these substances can be highly addictive and usually become ineffective with long-term use.

 

Compound medications offer targeted relief in the form of capsules or topical creams to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

 

Muscle Relaxers: Since stress-induced TMD involves muscle tightening, muscle relaxants can help to ease discomfort.

Oral Surgery

Typically, oral surgery for TMJ disorders is a last resort reserved for patients whose symptoms have become unbearable, and nothing else is working. The main options oral surgeons can offer include open joint surgery of the jaw joints, TMJ arthroscopy, and arthrocentesis.

Why Choose TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama

 

When you are dealing with chronic jaw pain, you need a specialist who focuses on TMJ disorders every day. Dr. Hartsfield is double board-certified in orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine, which means advanced, specialized training in diagnosing and treating conditions exactly like yours. That level of credential matters because general dentists and physicians tend to misdiagnose or undertreat TMJ disorders, as they see these conditions less often.

 

Our practice in Homewood, AL, serves patients throughout AL, MS, GA & FL. Whether you have been dealing with jaw pain for weeks or years, we can evaluate your symptoms, identify the source of your pain, and build a treatment plan tailored to your specific condition.

 

We make it easy to learn more about our team and practice here on our website, where we include our detailed credentials, informative resources, online inquiry, and multiple ways to contact us and ask questions at your convenience.

Preventive Measures for TMD Pain

 

A few of our best tips and strategies to prevent TMJ from getting worse and to reduce symptoms:

  • Avoid chewing gum and stop chewing ice. Both overwork the jaw joints and muscles, which can aggravate TMD symptoms.
  • Eat soft foods, especially during flare-ups.
  • Practice jaw relaxation exercises throughout the day. Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth with your teeth slightly apart to release tension.
  • Be mindful of stress-related clenching. If you catch yourself clenching during the day, consciously relax your jaw and take a few deep breaths.
  • Pay attention to your sleep position. Sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your jaw. Try sleeping on your back or side with proper neck support.
  • Stay consistent and proactive in your treatment for the best outcomes by scheduling regular check-ins in advance and attending all appointments.
  • Stay active with exercise.
  • East a whole foods diet and eliminate processed foods

 

Patient Experiences with TMJ Pain Treatment

Check out these reviews from patients at TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama.

  • Dr. Hartsfield is so knowledgeable and takes a tremendous amount of time with each patient to get to the root cause of the issue. After several months of debilitating jaw pain, five different doctors, multiple Xrays and a CT scan, I was referred to Dr. Hartsfield. Since seeing her, I have been pain-free for a month now. Life-changing and worth every single penny spent. Definitely recommend seeing her if you have jaw pain.

    Melody S

  • In only a little over a year I now sleep, migraines are under control (basically gone for me) as is the jaw pain! I highly recommend TMJ and Sleep Solutions, and pray she stays in our area as she is the only doctor that does this type of care in the state of Alabama.

    Regina F.

  • Dr. Hartsfield and her staff are amazing. Everyone in the office is so friendly and helpful. Dr. Hartsfield is so knowledgeable and takes a tremendous amount of time with each patient to get to the root cause of the issue. After several months of debilitating jaw pain, five different doctors, multiple Xrays and a CT scan, I was referred to Dr. Hartsfield. Since seeing her, I have been pain-free for a month now. Life-changing and worth every single penny spent. Definitely recommend seeing her if you have jaw pain.

    G. Thompson

  • I've had severe headaches for years with no relief. She was able to get rid of them!! Wonderful staff and amazing experience. Highly recommend!!!

    Karen R.

  • Dr. HARTSFIELD has improved my quality of life. Her passion for helping her patients is remarkable plus so caring. Well run office with great support staff.

    Sharon M.

TMJ Treatment in Birmingham, AL

 

Our practice, TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, is located in Homewood, AL, serving patients throughout the Southeastern United States. Dr. Hartsfield holds board certification from the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP), one of the highest credentials available for TMJ and orofacial pain specialists.

 

If jaw pain, headaches, or facial discomfort are affecting your daily life, schedule a consultation with our team. Call us at (205) 874-9699 or submit an online inquiry.

 

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