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. Klavy Usheva 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.
Our Team
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Dr. Klavdiya Usheva DMD, FAGD
Dr. Klavy Usheva grew up in Friendswood. She met Dr. Molloy as a patient at eleven years old and immediately decided she wanted to grow up to be a great dentist just like him. In high school, she shadowed him in the office during the summers and quizzed him on dental terminology so she could prepare for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) dental terminology competition.
She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology in three years, and then ...
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TMJ vs. TMD: Understanding the Difference
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. Klavy’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. Klavy 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.
TMJ Pain Relief in Friendswood, TX
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.