TMJ Disorder – Asheville, NC
Embrace a Better Quality of Life
You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that are located on either side of your head and attach your jawbone to the base of your skull. If stress, bite misalignment, teeth grinding, poor posture, arthritis, or other serious problems occur, it can cause inflammation and pain to form in these joints. At Asheville Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we want to not only alleviate discomfort caused by TMJ Disorder in Asheville but also improve how you use your mouth in day-to-day life. If you experience daily jaw pain, call to schedule a consultation with our team.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ Disorder is when the hinge that connects your jawbone to the base of your skull becomes inflamed or damaged. As a result, pain and the inability to move your mouth effectively can hinder your daily life, reduce its quality, and require professional intervention to fix.
It is common for TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) to stem from stress, a misaligned bite, teeth grinding or bruxism, and facial trauma.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
If you are struggling to understand the reason for your TMJ disorder, you are not alone. Many individuals want to identify the root cause so that they can resume a pain-free life. Some of the most common symptoms associated with TMJ disorder include:
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Jaw pain that extends throughout the neck and shoulders
- Reduced jaw movement
- Popping or clicking when you try to open and close your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or biting down
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to call our office. A member of our team will discuss your symptoms over the phone and indicate when you can come in to meet Dr. Pinkston.
Alternative Therapies to Address TMJ Pain
When treating TMJ disorder, Dr. Pinkston will first need to evaluate the severity of your jaw pain. This will likely include the use of high-tech digital imaging and a thorough discussion about your lifestyle habits and current symptoms.
Using the information collected, we will develop a treatment plan that includes one of the following non-surgical orthopedic treatments in Asheville:
- Osteopathic Manipulation: Focusing on the neck and jaw, this non-surgical method helps reduce pain and inflammation, as well as improve jaw mobility and health. By incorporating various techniques, we can alleviate muscle tension and enhance jaw alignment and movement.
- MLS Laser Therapy: This method is used to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. MLS is short for Multiwave Locked System, and it uses light to stimulate cell activity, which encourages healing while penetrating the tissues. Over time, you’ll notice greater jaw mobility, minimal pain, and fewer instances of clicking and popping.
- Prolotherapy or Hydrodissection: Considered regenerative injections for more severe TMJ disorders, the former stimulates healing while alleviating discomfort. It also encourages better jaw movement. The latter requires that we separate certain layers of tissue so that trapped nerves and tendons are released.