Do you suffer from jaw pain or difficulty opening your mouth? You may suffer from a TMJ/TMD disorder that will require treatment to alleviate the pain and stop the damage. There are many reasons a person may have issues with their temporomandibular joints, and often many issues are contributing to it.
This includes everyday stress and anxiety, chronic pain in the body, certain medications, certain diseases, and sleep disorders. Or, you may have damaged jaw joints due to injury or disease. Crooked teeth can also cause stress on the jaw and result in a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Dr. William Harper offers TMJ treatment for symptoms and pain. His office, Coastal Sleep & TMJ, is located in Poquoson, VA, but he welcomes patients from the surrounding areas such as Williamsburg, VA.
TMJ Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of TMJ issues are unique to each person, making it difficult for an untrained doctor to diagnose. Some TMJ pain or symptoms will feel better, or the pain will go away over time. That does not mean that the problem has gone away. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Harper.
- Popping or clicking when the jaw moves
- Locked jaw or difficulty opening the mouth
- Pain when chewing, eating or opening widen in the jaw area
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Soreness or pain in the neck area
- Soreness, tiredness or general pain in the face or jaw
- Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
TMD Treatment in Williamsburg, VA
Dr. Harper has the training and experience to help patients with TMJ issues. He has spent a lot of time researching the treatments and possible connections to oral appliances and sleep disorders. At your first visit, the Coastal Sleep & TMJ staff will ask you many questions and take note of your symptoms.
They will also perform a clinical evaluation of your mouth, jaw joints, and jaw muscles. Dr. Harper will note if you feel pain around the jaw joint located on both sides of your face. This appointment will last about thirty minutes. Dr. Harper is looking for the root cause of your TMJ symptoms and pain so that he can advise on the type of treatment you may need.
Unfortunately, most TMD cases are not curable. Dr. Harper offers treatment to help alleviate the pain and lower the risk of long-term issues. Seeking TMJ treatment is vital to halt the damage to your jaw, teeth, gums and overall health. Dr. Harper’s goal is not to find a cure but to find the right treatment for your unique needs. For many patients, medication may provide some relief, but the pain and symptoms will return.
After your talk with Dr. Harper and your exam, we will present you with a treatment plan. Since no two patients are the same, there is no one size fits all TMJ treatment. But, this means that each treatment plan is custom to your needs.
Your treatment may include bite correction therapy, a custom night guard, or a dental splint device. Even though some TMJ symptoms may seem to go away over time, that does not mean the root problem has gone away.