TMJ Treatment in Longmont, CO
Dr. Brian Coats offers a wide range of Temporomandibular Disorder services. The type of TMJ treatment in Longmont, CO, you should receive depends on your specific TMJ disorders. Call us at 303-776-4090 for a TMJ consultation. Brian Coats uses both state-of-the-art technology and techniques and dental devices to alleviate pain and restore joint function, Dr. Coats has 25+ years of experience treating TMJ disorders.
What are the TMJ joints?
The Temporomandibular joints are among the most important joints in the body. This is a result of its function in chewing, biting, talking, singing, and kissing. The TMJ joint is composed of bones, ligaments, disks, cartilage, joint fluid, nerves, and blood vessels, the same as other joints in the body. Damage to any of these components in the TMJ joint can result in dysfunction or pain.
How the TMJ Joint Works
The disk is positioned between the upper and lower jawbone and is attached by ligaments primarily on the sides and on the posterior of the disk, which assists in stabilizing the disk in position. When the mouth is opened, the lower jawbone rotates in the socket like a hinge. As the mouth is opened wider, the lower jawbone and disk slide forward.
When working correctly, the disk attached to the ligaments will move together with the lower jawbone. TMJ disorders such as locked jaw, jaw clicking, and popping, bite shifting, or pain occurs when the ligaments are stretched, bone or cartilage deteriorates (arthritis), scar tissue forms, or the lubrication system (synovial fluid) changes, resulting in the disk to become stuck out of position leading to these TMJ disorders. These disorders can also lead to muscle pain in the head, ear, and neck, potentially triggering migraine headaches.
TMJ Symptoms
The most prevalent symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
- Bite shifting
- Jaw locks opened or closed
- Jaw clicking or grinding
- Dizziness
- Ear pain
- Ear stuffiness
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Hearing loss
- Headaches, migraine headaches
- Inability to open mouth wide
- Inflammation, swelling
- Eye pain
- Jaw and facial pain
- Neck, shoulder and back pain
- Sinus congestion
- Stiffness in jaw joint
- Difficulty swallowing
- Throat pain
- Tooth pain
TMJ TREATMENTS
There are several treatments for TMJ ranging from exercises to surgical procedures.
- Corrective dental procedures
- Diet and stress management
- Exercises, ranging from passive movements to stretching and resistance
- Medications, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants
- Mouth appliance or splint
- Guidance on Surgical intervention
TMJ Dentistry
Dr. Coats, has been serving Longmont and surrounding areas of Niwot, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Dacono, Boulder, Lyons, Berthoud, and Platteville, CO for over 20 years. So, if you are ever in need of a TMJ treatment in Longmont, call Longmont Dentist – Brian Coats DDS at 303-776-4090.