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(432) 367-4774Odessa TMJ Therapy Can Rebuild Your Life
Are you or another member of your family dealing with any of the following uncomfortable symptoms?
Constant pain that’s located in the jaw, the ears, the face, the neck or the shoulders
- Severe headaches or migraines
- Ear congestion or pain but no sign of infection
- Clicking or popping noises when you attempt to move your jaw
- Restricted jaw movement
If so, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, a potentially debilitating condition that is caused by dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and/or associated facial muscles. Dr. Steve W. Cobb can provide needed relief and support with a customized nightguard here in Odessa. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or if you have any questions for our team. New patients from Midland and surrounding areas are always welcome at our practice.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
Dentists and researchers aren’t 100 percent certain about what specifically causes TMJ disorder, but they suspect that the condition probably begins with the muscles of your jaw or the inner workings of the joint itself.
In addition, we find that most people with TMJ disorder grind or clench their teeth, also known as bruxism. This can create significant tooth wear and oral pressure over time, resulting in a damaged bite and aggravated muscles.
Other factors that may contribute to the development of TMJ disorder include:
- Arthritis in the jaw
- Stress, which can lead to teeth clenching and other muscles tightening up
How is TMJ Disorder Diagnosed?
At an appointment here in our Odessa dental office, Dr. Cobb will evaluate your symptoms and assess the condition of your teeth, jaw joints and muscles. He may also order digital x-rays of your mouth, jaw and temporomandibular joints in order to visualize the inner workings of this complex system. With this information, Dr. Cobb is able to determine the reason for your discomfort and whether or not you have TMJ disorder.
How Is TMJ Disorder Treated?
If you have TMJ disorder, then we’ll take an impression of your teeth that our dental lab will use to create a customized oral appliance called a nightguard. With a nightguard, patients can protect their teeth from the consequences of teeth grinding and allow their jaw to rest more properly, reducing discomfort. Because teeth grinding often occurs during sleep, the habit is hard to break. Therefore a nightguard worn consistently can ease the effects of teeth grinding and provide relief from the pain of TMJ disorder. The result is improved function and an end to painful and annoying symptoms. Dr. Cobb will monitor your progress and help you achieve pain-free TMJ function and lasting comfort. In addition, he may also recommend the inclusion of certain exercises, diet, relaxation techniques, and stress counseling into your daily routine.
To learn more about TMJ disorder, or to schedule an evaluation with Odessa dentist Dr. Cobb, contact our office today.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Is TMJ Treatment Safe?
Rest assured that TMJ treatment in Odessa is considered to be very safe as long as there is a trained professional overseeing the process. This is especially the case for nightguards and other minimally invasive forms of care. It should be noted that TMJ disorder can sometimes be treated with surgery; however, this approach inherently carries some level of risk, which is why it’s typically only recommended if more conservative treatments fail to yield the desired results.
Our team will always put your safety and comfort above everything else. If you have concerns about your TMJ treatment, don’t hesitate to let us know.
How Long Does It Take for a Nightguard to Work?
Once you start wearing your nightguard to bed, you may notice an improvement in your TMJ disorder symptoms within a matter of days. After several months, your discomfort will be significantly reduced. Note that some patients may be able to find relief sooner than others due to a variety of factors. It’s also important to remember that you will need to get in the habit of wearing your oral appliance every night in order to enjoy the full benefits of the treatment.
How Much Does TMJ Treatment Cost?
The cost of treating a TMJ disorder can be significantly different from patient to patient. The underlying cause and severity of the problem will help determine what type of treatment you need, which in turn will have a significant impact on the final price tag. It should also be noted that the geographic location of the practice you visit can influence the amount they charge for their various services.
When you visit our office for TMJ treatment, you can count on your dentist in Odessa to be as transparent as possible about the costs involved. We can point you toward options for making your care more affordable. For example, we can help you apply for CareCredit financing, allowing you to pay for your treatment in a series of monthly installments that are right for your budget.
Is TMJ Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Your dental insurance plan may or may not be willing to help pay for TMJ treatment depending on a variety of factors. Some insurance carriers will only pay for such services if the state requires them to. On top of that, there may be restrictions on the type of TMJ treatment that your plan covers.
It’s worth noting that services meant to address TMJ disorder could fall under dental insurance or your regular medical insurance. This is due to the fact that, while some forms of TMJ treatment can only be provided by a dentist, the TMJ is a joint and therefore is not specifically related to dentistry.
Before moving forward with your TMJ treatment, you should review your dental insurance plan and determine whether you can use your benefits to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of your care. Talk to our team if you have insurance-related questions.