TMJ and Bruxism Treatment

Living with TMJ pain and disorders (TMD) can ripple across all facets of your health and well-being. It's not just about a clicking jaw; it's about how a misaligned bite can cause headaches, how tension can radiate to your neck, or even how TMD can disrupt sleep and daily life. 

Dr. Tim Molloy deeply understands these challenges and is dedicated to bringing relief and restoring quality of life with TMD treatment in Friendswood, TX.

The Mechanics of TMJ and the Onset of TMD

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to your skull and work with muscles, ligaments, and bones to perform complex movements. They work hard throughout your day, moving up and down and side to side so you can open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and yawn.

When the joints work smoothly, you take these actions for granted; however, when a problem occurs, your TMJs feel the strain. Factors like injury, arthritis, clenching, and teeth grinding can cause inflammation in the joint that manifests as pain every time you move your jaw.

While TMJ refers to the joint itself, TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorders—conditions that impair the joint's function and cause pain. Recognizing TMD involves being aware of symptoms such as:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint
• Aching pain in and around the ear
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Facial pain, headaches, and neck aches
• Jaw locked open or closed
• Dental damage from grinding or clenching

Diagnosing and Treating TMD

At Dr. Molloy’s office, we begin with a comprehensive diagnosis, combining a physical evaluation with state-of-the-art x-rays and joint testing to understand the root causes of your discomfort. Dr. Molloy also considers lifestyle factors contributing to your TMD, such as diet, stress levels, and daily habits.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for treating TMD. Your condition is as unique as your smile, and your treatment plan is crafted with care to reduce symptoms and restore normal jaw function. Strategies vary, but your personalized care plan might include:

• Custom-fitted night guards to prevent grinding and clenching and take stress off the TMJs
• Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles
• Diet and lifestyle modifications to alleviate stress on the jaw joints
• BOTOX® injections relax muscles responsible for grinding and clenching and relieve jaw tension and headaches.

Don’t let TMJ disorders take the joy out of your days. If you’re struggling with TMD symptoms, it’s time to seek the relief you deserve. If you live in Friendswood or the surrounding areas of Friendswood, League City, Pearland, and Alvin, please call (281) 482-7252 to arrange a convenient consultation.