TMJ Treatment
Improve Jaw Function and Alleviate Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of your ears and connects your jaw to your skull. Every day, this joint works hard to bite, chew, and speak. Genetics, arthritis, or injury can cause pain in the joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. Some people develop TMJ disorders from clenching or grinding their teeth (bruxism).
Dr. Karas and Dr. Williams are both an oral surgeon and physicians who prioritizes your health and safety. Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery offers both surgical and nonsurgical options to treat TMJ disorders so that your jaws can function properly without causing pain or discomfort.
Signs of a TMJ Disorder
It’s hard to determine the exact cause of a TMJ disorder. Some people who habitually grind their teeth never develop any issues, while others do. A small articular disk sits above the lower jaw where it connects at the joint. This disk is involved in moving and gliding the jaw and can become displaced due to a number of issues. A slipping TMJ can be painful and is often linked to many symptoms of a TMJ disorder. Surgery can reposition the disk, while physical therapy or medication can relieve pain and relax the muscles.
You may have a TMJ disorder if you experience any of the following:
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to fully open or close your mouth
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Pain in or around the temporomandibular joint
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain around your ear
- Clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth
You should seek medical attention if you have persistent pain in the TMJ or if you cannot open or close your mouth.
Treating TMJ Disorders
First, schedule an appointment with our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Nestor Karas and Dr. Brad Williams. At your first visit, he will examine your jaw and take 3D scans using our advanced digital scanning technology. As with any procedure, we offer several anesthesia and sedation options to help you feel as comfortable as possible, and Dr. Karas or Dr. Williams will discuss these with you.
Nonsurgical treatments, such as night guards or physical therapy, are always considered first. If these methods do not work, surgical intervention may be necessary. Sometimes, an arthroscopy is a small tube with a camera attached that is inserted into the joint space to determine a diagnosis. If surgical treatment is deemed necessary, there are several options that Dr. Karas or Dr. Williams will consider before determining the right method for your specific condition, including:
- Arthrocentesis. A small needle is inserted to irrigate the joint and remove debri and inflammatory byproducts.
- Injections. Corticosteroid injections can help relax the muscles.
- Arthroscopy. While also used to help diagnose, arthroscopic surgery involves the same method of attaching a small camera to a tube so that your surgeon can operate on the joint and reposition muscles or the disk.
- Orthognathic Surgery. In some cases, the joint may be an indication of a larger jaw misalignment problem. Corrective jaw surgery repositions the jaws and improves biting, chewing, and speaking, as well as alleviates facial pain.
Our team will walk you through your options and guide you through every step of your oral surgery journey. It is our goal to help you improve your oral health and quality of life by relieving pain and discomfort. If you have a TMJ disorder or would like to explore your treatment options, please contact our office in Walnut Creek, CA, today.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with TMJ Treatment and other procedures.
" When I first walked into this practice, I felt that I was the most important person in that moment, and that was important to me. Dr. Karas has a way of relating to his patients. I felt comfortable with him in terms of his professionalism and care. The staff explained everything to me and made me feel at ease."
"Dr. Karas did an amazing job, and I was very happy with the work he did. I could tell that I was working with a professional and it really showed. The staff are very friendly and caring, and they make you feel very special."
"The staff here are very personable, outgoing, and friendly, and very accommodating. Having this dental implant has given me a really new outlook on life and I'm so happy I did it. I have a beautiful, healthy smile now, and it’s all thanks to Dr. Karas and his team."
"Dr. Karas is a very warm and professional person. He makes me feel secure. I feel that he knows what he’s doing, and I felt like I was in the best hands possible. My overall experience has been absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend Dr. Karas and his team."
"Everyone here was just kind, friendly, and caring. Dr. Karas made me feel like he really cared about my needs and concerns. He talked to me in a way about my procedure that I could really understand, and I felt comfortable after my first consultation with him. I’m very happy that I chose this practice to have my procedure done."
" Everybody here really made me feel at home and at ease. Dr. Karas is a very friendly and professional person. I really knew I was in good hands with him. I had complete confidence that he would do an amazing job, and he did. I had an amazing experience here."
" Everyone here was just so welcoming and understanding about this whole process. Dr. Karas is very composed and [is] such a professional. Dr. Karas makes me feel so comfortable every time I see him. This surgery has been life-changing. I eat and chew so much better now. My confidence has skyrocketed, and I just feel more free to be myself."
"The staff here are fun. They are extremely kind and extremely caring, and you can tell that they care for every patient that comes through the door. My experience here was absolutely amazing. I have a healthy smile now and it’s all thanks to Dr. Karas and his team. "
"When I came in here—meeting with the staff and everybody in the office, I knew I had made the right choice. Dr. Karas always gives the explanation that gives confidence to me in what the result will be."
How Can We Help You?
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