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.
Dr. Cynthia Stephenson
Walnut Creek
"I really respect and appreciate the fact that Dr. Karas is an MD. He's up-to-date with all the latest techniques, and he's really committed to what he does, and he really is committed to being the best he can be, and it shows in his care. I will continue to refer my patients to Dr. Karas."
"When I first walked into the practice, I felt refreshed. It's a very new and modern environment and everybody was really welcoming at the front desk. Dr. Karas for me from the moment I met him just made me feel like family. Very warm, very professional."
"When I first met Dr. Karas, I was impressed by his knowledge and the fact that he had seen every scenario when it had came to wisdom teeth. I felt very welcomed and like I was in good hands, that he knew he was doing, and he clearly answered all my questions. "
"When I first met Dr. Karas, I was very impressed. He was friendly. He was direct, explained everything that he was going to do before he did it."
"Dr. Karas' staff has always been very professional, very helpful, very welcoming. Dr. Karas is a very open and very friendly doctor. He has been very thorough in his explanations of what he's doing."
"When I first walked into the practice, it was check you in, sit down, and in a few minutes, you're seeing the doctor. Dr. Karas exudes confidence and makes you feel comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Recovery was quick. I, at this point, couldn't even tell you which teeth are implants and which ones aren't implants."
"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."
"Dr. Karas, he's an amazing individual, professional, but most of all, a caring person. My procedure, it went well."
" 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."
How Can We Help You?
Contact our office to schedule an appointment or use the buttons below to learn more about our practice.