TMJ/TMD Therapy in Middlebury, VT

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the spot where your jaw connects to your skull to enable you to open and close your jaw easily. Sometimes the temporomandibular joint is damaged or injured, resulting in a debilitating condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder (TMD). If you are experiencing pain or hearing sounds when you open your jaw, schedule a consultation with dentist Dr. Brian Saltzman to see if you have TMD. At his office, Lincoln Peak Dental, Dr. Saltzman utilizes advanced tools to examine and care for your TMD to alleviate painful symptoms. Your treatment will be dependent on the cause of your TMD and your specific condition, but some choices include oral appliances (mouth or night guards), bite alteration, dental restorations, and much more. For more information, contact our office in Middlebury, VT to schedule a consultation with Dr. Saltzman today.

TMD may be brought on by a single injury to the jaw, years of teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, or misalignment of the teeth (dental malocclusion). Medical conditions that can lead to TMD include a tumor in the TMJ or arthritis. Sometimes the cause of TMD is unclear, but if you're having signs and symptoms, Dr. Saltzman can diagnose and care for your TMJ at his Middlebury, VT office. A few of the most typical symptoms of TMD are:

• Tenderness or pain in the jaw
• Involuntary contractions in your face muscles
• Feeling as though your jaw is rigid or stuck
• Headaches that start near your ears
• Hearing cracking, clicking, or popping when you move your jaw

To help diagnose a temporomandibular disorder, Dr. Saltzman will listen carefully to understand your concerns prior to a physical exam. Throughout the exam, he will assess how your jaw moves and search for signs of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment. He will also palpate the jawbone and surrounding area for any swelling and tenderness. Dr. Saltzman might order digital images of your lower head or an analysis of your bite to search for underlying factors that could determine your treatment approach. Depending on the examination, he will discuss your treatment options which may include a mouth guard, orthodontics, or restorative dentistry (bridges, crowns, and dentures).

Along with treatments to fix the underlying cause of your temporomandibular joint dysfunction, Dr. Saltzman can recommend other ways to relieve pain and other symptoms on your own. This may include eating softer foods, not biting your nails or chewing gum, applying heat to your jaw, and relaxation methods. Dr. Saltzman may also show you exercises to strengthen your jaw or prescribe medicine to relax your facial muscles (and to alleviate pain, nervousness, or even inflammation).

It's important that you continue to attend follow-up appointments with Dr. Saltzman so we can check the progress of your TMJ therapy. If your therapy isn't working, he may consider a different strategy. Once your TMD has been treated, you should keep going to annual dental examinations at Lincoln Peak Dental to maintain your oral health.

Dental insurance coverage for diagnosing and treating TMD will vary, so we will contact your dental insurance provider to figure out your personal expenses. Whether you have dental insurance or not, Dr. Saltzman will discuss price quotes when explaining treatment options. To make all remedies affordable, Lincoln Peak Dental takes many payment methods and we can help you find low-interest medical financing.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can make it hard to chew, talk, and enjoy your life. Since there are many potential causes, signs, and solutions to treat TMD, schedule a consultation with dentist Dr. Brian Saltzman at his office in Middlebury, VT. He will perform a thorough exam prior to diagnosing the problem and talking about TMD treatment options. Get in touch with our staff at Lincoln Peak Dental to get more information about TM therapy and make an appointment.