TMJ/TMD Treatment in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Temporomandibular disorder, TMD, is a condition that thousands of people suffer from. At Talent Dental, we get patients complaining of problems with their temporomandibular joints weekly. So if you’re looking for TMD treatment near you, we might be able to help.

The TMJ is the joint that connects the jawbone to the rest of the skull. Through muscles acting on the joint, we’re able to chew, speak, and yawn. However, when one or two TMJs that a person has been damaged or inflamed, opening and closing the jaw can be painful and limited.

Symptoms of TMD

TMD can manifest in different ways. At Talent Dental, we’ve met with patients who had different complaints, but they all suffered from TMD in the end. Most people with TMD complain of pain usually in front of the ear but can also be referred to other parts of the face and ear. Additionally, a clicking or popping sound might be noticed when the jaw moves.

There are other common manifestations too. For example, some people have a locked jaw, meaning that it becomes fixed and can’t be moved at all. These people need to be seen urgently to relieve the locking.

Treatment of TMD

Fortunately, our TMD/TMJ specialist has several options to treat TMD. Painkillers and muscle relaxants in the form of pills or tablets are what we usually rely on first. Other treatments might take time, but these drugs can help patients feel much better. Some might not need further treatment.

Those who still experience TMD or have underlying inflammation might benefit from corticosteroid injections into the joint. We might also aspirate the fluid inside the joint for analysis and often the correction of a locked jaw.

Patients who don’t respond to all of the treatments mentioned above will likely need surgery. Surgery can be done through arthroscopy, where we insert a thin metal tube into the joint, or through open surgery. Our TMD/TMJ dentists prefer arthroscopy because it’s minimally invasive, but some people require open surgery.

The treatment of TMD is complex and can take several steps. However, we’ll do our best to make you comfortable and able to live your daily life without problems. So call us now to book your appointment or visit our dentist office today for TMD/TMJ treatment in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.