When you have a TMJ disorder – which is a type of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) – it can cause pain and discomfort in your jaw. Your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is essentially a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side. If you experience issues with your TMJ, treatment may be necessary.
What Is a TMJ Disorder?
The specific cause of a TMJ disorder can be tricky to pinpoint. It’s often triggered by a combination of factors like an injury, arthritis, and even genetics. Symptoms of TMJ disorders can include jaw pain or tenderness, aching pain around and in your ear, trouble chewing, facial pain, or locking of the joint. TMJ disorders can also create a clicking sound when you open your mouth or chew.
Getting Treatment
If you’re experiencing signs of a TMJ disorder, please consider coming into Dental Solutions of Columbus. Dr. Sitaram, our gneuromuscular dentist, focuses on the jaw and a patient’s “bite,” which is known as occlusion. Dr. Sitaram is part of a team of less than 50 dentists worldwide who are completing (or having completed) the seven-level Occlusion Connections curriculum. You can learn more about gneuromuscular dentistry on our website.
PRP TMJ Treatment
Platelet Rich Plasma injections (PRP) are a type of treatment for TMJ disorders. Within blood, there are platelets that form clots and contain proteins essential for healing damaged tissues. When activated, platelets are able to accelerate healing. For the PRP treatment, we draw your blood and spin the plasma in a centrifuge. This allows us to concentrate the platelets. We then inject them into your TMJs. This is all a one-visit procedure. PRP can help ease TMJ symptoms, heal damaged tissue, and improve your joint health.
Suffering From TMJ?
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of TMJ, please contact our office today for an appointment! You deserve to be free from pain and discomfort.