Treating Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) in San Antonio and Boerne, TX
Your jaw and temporomandibular joint function as a hinge, but when that hinge doesn't function properly, you may have temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Symptoms of TMD include:
- Jaw pain
- Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
- Frequent headaches or neck aches
- Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
- Muscle spasms in the jaw area
- A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
- Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
If you notice that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, let Dr. Beitchman know at your next appointment at our San Antonio or Boerne, TX orthodontic office. He can help determine if you have TMD and create a customized treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
TMD Treatment at Beitchman Orthodontics
Dr. Beitchman has been helping patients with TMD in the Antonio and Boerne, TX communities for more than 25 years. He takes a very conservative approach to TMD treatment, emphasizing non-surgical options whenever possible.
Dr. Beitchman is qualified to treat TMD when it relates strictly to the soft tissue, such as the muscles surrounding the joints, and/or brought on by stress or grinding of the teeth. For these patients, we prescribe physical therapy treatment and removable appliance therapy. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a complex problem, and there are many different ways to treat it. We work with our TMD patients to create a customized treatment plan to help relieve their symptoms.
Simple changes in your everyday life can also prevent TMD. One of the biggest things to remember is to relax your face — remember the rule: “Lips together, teeth apart.” If you find that you grind or clench your teeth, we may suggest the use of a mouthguard to ease TMD discomfort.
