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TMJ Therapy for Smithfield, RI

Chronic headaches and jaw pain may be a sign of serious TMJ problems. We can help.

Some patients come to us complaining of chronic jaw pain. Others may not realize that their chronic headaches or neck pain could also be a sign of jaw problems. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a joint that joins the lower jaw to the skull. It may be small, but this tiny joint can cause big problems when it’s strained or becomes misaligned. At Barner Family Dental Care in Smithfield, Rhode Island, we offer TMJ therapy to help those with TMJ problems and pain to find relief.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

How do you know if you need TMJ therapy? The only way to find out for sure is to make a visit to a dental office that provides TMJ treatment for an exam. However, there are symptoms you can look for, and if you notice these symptoms, we encourage you to visit our Smithfield office to find out more about your condition.

Symptoms of TMJ problems include:

Facial pain or jaw pain that spreads down into the neck or shoulders. The TMJ is located roughly right in front of the ear, and you may feel pain originating from this spot.
Ear pain, congestion, ringing, or hearing problems.
Swelling of the face or jaw.
Chronic headaches or migraines.
Jaw locking when you open it wide.
Popping or clicking of the jaw joint when you chew, speak, or open your mouth.

What causes TMJ disorder and the need for TMJ therapy? Trauma from teeth grinding, clenching, or injury, an off-bite relationship, or arthritis can all contribute to the experience of TMJ pain and disorder. If you experience these symptoms only intermittently, there may not be need for TMJ therapy. However, if you have chronic and severe pain or dysfunction, you’ll want to explore treatment options with the help of the dentists at Barner Family Dental Care.

Common TMJ Therapy Options

For many, a nightguard meant to reduce nighttime clenching and grinding can help alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorder. This form of TMJ therapy will also protect your teeth from the damage that can be caused by these sleeping habits. For others, TMJ therapy may require orthodontic treatment. An off-bite relationship can contribute to misalignments in the TMJ, leading to chronic dysfunction. We can use ClearCorrect to correct some bite problems, or we may refer you to an orthodontist to help with your TMJ therapy.

For some patients, more vigorous TMJ therapy may be necessary. If that’s the case, we can refer you to an oral and maxillofacial specialist to provide more aggressive treatments if needed.

It’s important that you know you have options when it comes to the treatment of your TMJ disorder. Contact Barner Family Dental Care to discuss TMJ therapy options and find out more about the cause of your chronic problems. Our Smithfield, RI dental office also serves Lincoln, Cumberland, Glocester, Southeastern Massachusetts, and even the entirety of Rhode Island, offering various advanced treatments to improve your health and your life.