We can help patients with chronic jaw pain. First come in and see me. We do have a new treatment with Botox that we actually inject into the chewing muscles. Once you inject into the chewing muscles, it actually reduces the muscles, so now you don’t put as much pressure. I’ve had patients tell me that it’s changed their life. That’s one of the options. The other option is making an appliance to go in there. Yeah, one of the problems with teeth grinding is life is stressful. A lot of times you go to sleep and you’re grinding your teeth at night, and you will destroy your teeth over time. So one thing is to get an appliance in there so we separate your teeth so you can’t get the teeth together. You might grind through that appliance, we make you an appliance, or we go with the direction of Botox where you don’t have to have that. If you notice that your teeth are starting to get shorter, if you have soreness in your jaws, come in and see us because it might be just because of the tooth grinding, it might be a very, very simple fix for you.
Relieve Your Chronic Jaw Pain With TMJ Treatment in Zanesville, OH
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. If you have jaw pain, it’s known as a TMJ disorder (TMD). Dr. Charles Hawkins can relieve your pain with Zanesville TMJ treatment. We will create a custom mouthguard that will:
- Alleviate pressure on your jaw and prevents teeth grinding, a possible cause of TMD
- Allow you to eat your favorite foods more comfortably
- Soothe tension in your face, neck, and shoulders
- Avoid potential damage to your tooth enamel caused by grinding
- Reduces or eliminates painful migraines and headaches
Call Hawkins Complete Dental Service today at 740-214-1301 for an appointment. Our office is located near Eaglesticks Golf Club and Foxfire High School.
Feel More Comfortable With a Custom Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard will keep you from grinding your teeth. This can prevent worn-down teeth or dental damage, such as cracks and breaks. Mouthguards gently move your jaw into a position that relieves the pressure on your TMJ. Custom-made mouthguards:
- Ease TMJ symptoms including difficulty chewing, earaches, and headaches
- Feel comfortable to wear
- Help you get a better night’s sleep and awaken without a sore jaw
- Are easier than other possible TMJ treatments, such as orthodontics or surgery
- Provide quicker relief than other treatment methods
Replacing Missing Teeth May Relieve Your TMJ Pain
Missing teeth can affect your bite. As a result, this can impact your TMJ. Dr. Hawkins may recommend replacing your missing teeth to relieve the problem. Replacing missing teeth will make it easier for you to chew, eat, and speak. Your tooth replacement options include:
- A dental bridge
- Dentures
- Dental implants paired with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures
Dr. Hawkins will help you determine which tooth replacement will work best for you.
Call us today at 740-214-1301 to visit Hawkins Complete Dental Service. You can also request an appointment online. Find lasting relief with TMJ treatment in Zanesville, OH.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge below each ear that controls your jaw movement. A comfortable, properly functioning jaw joint is crucial to your health and quality of life because you rely on it all day long to eat, speak, yawn, and laugh. It’s possible for your TMJ to heal on its own, but rare. Often, treatment is required to realign and heal a malfunctioning TMJ.
Surgery or orthodontics can help, but conservative treatment is ideal. It often involves everything from tension-relieving exercises to relax the muscles in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders to anti-inflammatory pain relievers and custom mouthguards. Worn while you sleep, a mouthguard prevents your upper and lower teeth from grinding and clenching throughout the night. This alleviates your pain and allows the jaw joint to heal naturally.
Treatment for TMJ disorders is not mandated, but several states require medical or dental insurance providers to cover some of the costs. The best way to find out if your plan includes TMJ treatment is to contact your provider directly, or talk to someone from our team who can obtain that information on your behalf.