TMJ Pain & Treatment
Do you have pain or tenderness in your jaw area?
Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)? Aching in or around your ear? Pain or difficulty chewing? Aching facial pain? Locking or clicking in the jaw joint that makes opening and closing your mouth difficult? You may have TMJ disorder, and Dr. Benoit, at Benoit Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Houma, LA, can help.
Diagnosis & Treatment
The first step in diagnosis of TMJ disorders is analyzing your symptoms. We’ll take a history of your problem, including the approximate length of time you’ve been experiencing symptoms. Next, we’ll perform an exam. Dr. Benoit will listen to and feel your jaw when you open and close your mouth, check the range of motion of your jaw, and touch areas on and around your jaw to identify exactly where you are feeling discomfort or pain. He may perform dental x-rays to closely examine your teeth and jaw, and if necessary, order further imaging studies.
Treatment of TMJ disorders includes education and counseling. We will explain the physical components of the problem and discuss factors that may aggravate your pain, such as teeth grinding, biting fingernails, and more. We will explore ways to avoid these behaviors to decrease your symptoms.
Occlusal Appliances
TMJ appliances are created from acrylic resin and prevent contact between the teeth. They keep teeth in a correct position to minimize any action that might cause TMJ pain. These appliances are also called mouth guards, bite guards, or bite plates. They are customized for a comfortable fit.
Do you suffer with TMJ pain? It’s time to do something about it.
Call 985-868-4681, text 985-614-8481, or contact us to make an appointment with Dr. Benoit.