TMJ Treatment Specialist

Boca Mission Bay Dentistry

Dennis Sierra, DMD

Cosmetic Dentist & General Dentist located in Boca Raton, FL

If you’re one of the more than 10 million Americans living with a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), TMJ treatment can provide significant relief and improve your overall quality of life. At Boca Mission Bay Dentistry in Boca Raton, Florida, cosmetic dentist Dennis Sierra, DMD, works with teenagers and adults to provide safe, effective TMJ treatments, including custom-molded bite guards, Botox® injections, and tooth realignment. To schedule an appointment, call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.

5614690614 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

TMJ Treatment Q&A

What is TMJ?

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint disorders. Your temporomandibular joint is located on both sides of your jaw and acts like sliding hinges. It moves up and down, allowing you to bite, speak, yawn, and chew.

TMJ causes pain in these joints and the surrounding muscles. The exact cause of TMJ varies, but it’s usually due to clenching and grinding your teeth, stress, or poor tooth alignment. 

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

The symptoms of TMJ vary and depend on the underlying cause. Common indications include:

  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Aching pain in or around the ears
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Pain while chewing
  • Aching facial pain

As TMJ progresses, you might also experience clicking or popping sounds whenever you yawn, bite, or chew.

What is TMJ treatment?

TMJ treatment is a group of techniques used to relieve pain and discomfort caused by TMJ. Dr. Sierra offers several types of TMJ treatment, including:

Custom-molded bite guards

A custom-molded bite guard is a plastic tray designed to fit the unique ridges of your teeth. You wear it at night, to prevent your teeth from grinding during sleep. This prevents damage to your tooth enamel and eases tension on your temporomandibular joints.

Relaxation techniques

If you have a mild or moderate case of TMJ, you might benefit from relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. These practices can relieve tension and stress throughout your body, lowering your risk of clenching your jaw or teeth grinding.

Muscle relaxants

If your TMJ symptoms persist even after wearing a custom-molded bite guard and participating in relaxation techniques, you might benefit from prescription muscle relaxants. These medications ease tension in your jaw muscles, allowing you to sleep comfortably. 

Botox® injections

Botox is a cosmetic injectable, but it’s also effective as a treatment for TMJ. Once Botox enters your body, it relaxes the muscles in your jaw. This prevents you from making unconscious jaw movements and prevents headaches caused by teeth-grinding.

Bite realignment

If none of the other treatments are effective, you might benefit from bite realignment. This treatment reshapes your teeth, eliminating a “bad bite” completely. Realignment involves Dr. Sierra adjusting the relationship between your upper and lower teeth. It’s a pain-free procedure that Dr. Sierra regularly performs on teens and adults. 

What type of TMJ treatment is right for me?

To determine the type of TMJ that’s right for you, Dr. Sierra conducts an oral exam, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and reviews your medical history. Afterward, he takes digital X-rays to observe your jawbones and bite alignment.

Once he gathers this information, Dr. Sierra develops a custom care plan that aligns with your individual needs. 

To schedule a TMJ treatment appointment at Boca Mission Bay Dentistry, call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.