Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment
Chronic jaw pain, headaches, and clicking sounds when chewing can all indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder can cause persistent and debilitating symptoms that compromise your quality of life. At Artistry In Dentistry in Erie, PA, we offer non-surgical TMJ treatment to provide lasting relief. Dr. Arlene Kubit provides a specialized two-phased treatment involving a customized mouthpiece and dental restorations.
Dr. Kubit will first use a device to properly align your jaws. Next, she can place restorations to maintain the proper balance of your bite.
Do I Have TMJ Disorder?
TMJ can have many causes. Often, it is often the result of an imbalanced bite. In other words, the upper and lower jaws do not meet properly, and the jaw joints must overcompensate to achieve balance. Over time, this strain can cause:
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- An aching feeling in or around the ear
- Pain in one or both of the TMJs
- Difficulty chewing
- Clicking sounds in the joint
- A grating sensation when opening your mouth
TMD can also cause the jaw joint to lock, making it difficult to open or close your mouth. If you have experienced any of these symptoms consistently, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment at our office. Dr. Kubit can assess your symptoms and take x-rays of your jaw to identify potential problems.
Adjusting the bite permanently helps many patients find relief from their painful symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment
Dr. Kubit offers a special two-phase program to treat TMJ disorder:
Phase One
If Dr. Kubit determines you have TMJ disorder, she will fit you with a customized oral appliance. Unlike a typical mouthguard, this device is worn 24 hours a day, not just at night. The goal of using this TMJ appliance is to restore the proper height and slope of your chewing pathways. Your device will either:
- Recreate what has been worn away due to clenching, grinding, or other bite issues
- Supplement areas that nature never provided.
Phase One typically lasts between six and nine months.
Phase Two
The next step is to make sure proper function can be achieved for the long term. Using the information we gathered during Phase One, Dr. Kubit will design a treatment plan to permanently adjust your bite.
Your Phase Ttwo treatment may involve:
As with Phase One, this second stage of treatment is precisely tailored to your teeth and jaw. Adjusting the bite permanently helps many patients find relief from their painful symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Make a Lasting Change
Many patients with TMJ disorder are prescribed simple mouthguards to wear while they sleep. While this treatment can help with the symptoms, it does not provide the lasting relief that Dr. Kubit’s two-phased method has helped many patients to achieve. If you are suffering from chronic jaw pain, reach out to our office online or call (814) 825-7373 today to learn more about non-surgical TMJ treatment.
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I have been a patient of Dr. Kubit's for over 20 years. She is the most skilled, professional and caring dentist I have ever encountered. I have referred many friends and family to Dr. Kubit. All have received excellent care by Dr. Kubit. She is truly one of a kind.
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