To schedule your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder assessment, contact our Harris County practice serving the entire Houston area.
Kelly M. LeBlanc, D.D.S.
8678 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, Texas 77379
Phone: (281) 376-3959
Office Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8am-5pm
Fri: 8am-2pm
Wed: Closed
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Treatment — Our Spring, Texas Practice, Serving Houston and All of Harris County
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects the jawbone to the skull. The two joints are located on either side of the head near the ear and are typically thought to be among the most complex joints in the human body. Because movement of the TMJ plays an essential role in everyday functions such as eating and speaking, pain in this area can be particularly distressing. Unfortunately, more than 10 million Americans suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder pain. That is why our Spring, Texas practice, serving Houston and all of Harris County, provides TMJ disorder treatment with the use of the latest neuromuscular dentistry techniques. Our esteemed dental professional, Dr. Kelly LeBlanc, is dedicated to helping patients find relief from this common but all-too-often misunderstood condition.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, a TMJ disorder assessment at our Houston-area practice can help you understand the source of your pain and how it can be treated. To speak with Dr. LeBlanc, contact our practice today.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Because of the TMJ's close proximity to the ear, TMJ disorder pain is frequently confused with ear pain. Dr. LeBlanc's extensive experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder allows him to determine the cause of pain and help patients find relief from the condition. Although only a trained professional can diagnose TMJ disorder, it is frequently accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Jaw pain that is either dull and constant or sharp and intermittent
- Popping, clicking, or grinding in the jaw joint
- Pain emanating from the ear area, many times seemingly from the ear, itself
- Headaches and/or neck pain
- Tooth pain resulting from teeth clenching or grinding
Causes of TMJ
Because the TMJ is such an oft-used and complex joint, the potential causes of temporomandibular joint disorder are many. Through extensive diagnostic testing, our Houston-area dental professionals serving patients from throughout Harris County are able to carefully analyze TMJ symptoms to determine their cause or causes, and then develop appropriate treatment plans. The many possible causes of TMJ disorder include:
- Excessive cartilage wear in the jaw joint
- A dislocation of the temporomandibular joint
- Clenching and grinding of the teeth
- A misaligned bite
- Inflammation as a result of arthritis
TMJ Treatments
The possible treatments of TMJ disorder are nearly as varied as the disorder's many causes. Through modern neuromuscular dentistry techniques, Dr. LeBlanc can effectively treat the full range of causes of TMJ pain. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on correcting misalignment of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint, placing a focus on the physiologic and anatomical laws and their relation to the dental structure and TMJ pain.
As an experienced TMJ treatment provider, our Houston-area neuromuscular dentistry expert is proud to provide our Harris County patients with an array of temporomandibular joint disorder treatments. The course of treatment depends on the cause of the disorder, the severity of pain, and the results of whatever past TMJ treatments a patient has undergone, if any.
TMJ therapy frequently begins with the use of a specially designed mouth guard. This helps to provide immediate pain relief while longer-term treatments are explored. The next step may include bite therapy. This TMJ treatment involves a careful analysis of the bite and its relationship to TMJ pain. This helps to determine whether clenching or an uneven bite — known as a malocclusion — is responsible for TMJ pain. If it is, the necessary steps will be taken to help bring about a more beneficial relationship between the upper and lower jaw. Finally, TMJ exercises may be used to help better control jaw muscles to prevent clenching and grinding.
Learn More about Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
If you would like to learn more about temporomandibular joint disorder please visit our Spring, Texas practice, serving patients from Houston and all of Harris County. To schedule a TMJ disorder assessment, contact the office of Dr. Kelly LeBlanc today.