Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head SC
Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD, inflicts pain on many people. TMJ disorder symptoms are hard to ignore, from frequently occurring headaches and facial pain to radiating neck and back pain. Unfortunately, many physicians overlook these symptoms or misdiagnose TMJ sufferers, ultimately masking their pain instead of treating it at the source. Dr. Chris Mohler has undergone extensive training and education to understand the complexities of the jaw joints and how a harmonious and stable bite matters when it comes to musculature health and comfort. Therefore, Dr. Mohler can accurately diagnose and provide effective treatment for cases of TMJ disorder.
Symptoms of TMJ
Many people suffering from TMJ disorder complain of its far-reaching symptoms noting the following conditions:
- Facial pain
- Dental pain
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the jaw
- Migraines or frequent headaches
- Neck pain
- Numbness in the arms, hands, or fingers
- Stuffiness or ringing in the ears
- Restricted jaw movement
- Excessive wear on the chewing surface of their teeth
- Loose teeth
If you experience any of these symptoms, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Mohler, a NEUROMUSCULAR DENTIST in Beaufort, SC.
What is neuromuscular dentistry?
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on how the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissue of the mouth, jaw, and face work together to establish harmony and proper function. With a philosophy based on more than 30 years of experience and research, neuromuscular dentistry is reliable and provides effective treatment for TMJ disorder. If you experience symptoms of TMJ disorder, Dr. Mohler can provide long-lasting relief, including treatment for chronic headaches and migraines without long-term use of medication or surgery in many cases.
How Dr. Mohler Treats TMJ Disorder
Treatment for TMJ disorder is designed to fit the unique needs of each patient, but with one main goal in mind – to establish a harmonious biting pattern, which ultimately relieves TMJ pain, protects teeth against additional damage, and helps patients live the life they always wanted – without pain.
TMJ Treatments in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
TMJ disorder relief begins with a gentle yet effective electrical massage using a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device. A TENS unit reduces inflammation and increases blood flow to the affected jaw joint, stimulating the body to release endorphins, a natural pain reliever.
Dr. Mohler also uses sophisticated technology known as computerized jaw tracking that measures and tracks jaw movements and biting patterns to determine the extent of your jaw’s dysfunction. Electromyography or EMG is also used to measure the electrical activity in the muscles. Additionally, Dr. Mohler uses electrosonography to record noises or sounds that may emanate from your jaw joints during movement, which could be an indication of a degenerative component to your disorder. These precise measurements paired with digital x-rays allow Dr. Mohler to determine a desirable jaw alignment to relieve your symptoms.
In some cases, TENS massages and lifestyle changes, like limiting or avoiding chewy or tough types of food and reducing stress, are enough to curtail TMJ discomfort. But in moderate to severe cases, a custom-made oral orthotic is designed and prescribed to be worn to help correct the position of your bite and improve jaw function. It is rare that surgery is necessary to correct TMJ disorder.
An oral orthotic for TMJ disorder helps by holding the jaw in the newly established resting position that relieves stress and strain on the musculature of the jaw and face. In some individuals, complete bite reconstruction like crowning badly damaged or worn teeth, replacing missing teeth, and reconstructing the natural biting pattern is necessary to establish a long-term solution to jaw malfunction.
TMJ disorder can become chronic, lasting years as it worsens with age. However, the sooner you start the road to recovery, the quicker you will experience relief from your debilitating symptoms. If you are tired of being given a Band-Aid for your pain or have your symptoms passed over by other doctors, contact Dr. Chris Mohler to schedule a TMJ disorder evaluation in Beaufort, SC.
Get Relief from TMJ Disorder in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
Chris Mohler, DDS, is a qualified TMJ dentist serving Beaufort and the surrounding areas. If you experience symptoms of TMJ disorder, you no longer have to live in constant pain. Experience the difference that Dr. Mohler can make by using sophisticated and precise technology to get to the root cause of your pain. Please schedule a TMJ consultation with us by calling (843) 522-1442 or complete our Contact Form below and we will be in touch with you soon.