TMJ Overview

TMJ disorder refers to temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition in which the temporomandibular joint is chronically inflamed. The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull.

Symptoms

A wide range of symptoms such as headache, stiffness, and lockjaw are associated with TMJ disorders.

Treatments

Treatments for TMJ disorders may include anti-inflammatory medications, cold compresses, or other treatments determined by your dental specialist. Appropriate treatment will help to alleviate some or all symptoms associated with TMJ syndrome. Your dentist will evaluate your comdition and determine the appropriate course of treatment. The tests required will determine the cause and the treatment for each patient's condition.

TMJ treatment may include use of a mouth guard or a stabilization splint. If the misalignment of the jaw is determined to be the cause of TMJ, a number of different procedures may be needed to correct the bite, including orthodontics and dental crowns. The total cost of your TMJ treatment will be dependent on which treatments are needed.

When mouth guards and other forms of therapy cannot provide the relief from TMJ symptoms, surgery may be considered as a solution. Surgeries range from minimally invasive to open surgery. These surgeries may be covered under medical insurance.

Dental insurance or medical insurance may be particular as to which treatments they will cover. Dental insurance generally excludes treatments that are outside the range of general dentistry. Orthodontic procedures may be needed to treat TMJ syndrome; however, dental insurance generally excludes orthodontic procedures. Medical insurance may exclude TMJ treatments as belonging field of dentistry. Speak to your physician, dentist, and insurance companies to find out if TMJ treatment costs can be covered by your policy.

Our El Paso cosmetic dentist offers a range of treatment options to our patients, including teeth whitening and dental implants.