What Is the Best Doctor to See For TMJ?

Yes, there are doctors who specialize in treating problems of the TMJ. In fact, there are medical practices that specifically focus on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating TMJ disorders, such as Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. If you are looking for a qualified professional to treat your TMJ disorder, trust the TMJ doctors at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.

TMJ disorder refers to a number of symptoms and conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint. This can be the result of an injury, a medical condition, or a degenerative disease. The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is jaw pain, which can extend to the neck and behind the eyes.

TMJ refers to problems with the temporomandibular joint, and can be caused by any of the following:

– Misalignment of the jaw
– Misaligned teeth
– Teeth grinding due to stress
– Poor or wrong posture
– Arthritis
– Teeth clenching
– Physical trauma

To understand when it is best to visit the doctor for TMJ, we must first look at its symptoms. The main symptoms of TMJ include:

Pain in the temporomandibular joint, which can manifest as:

– Jaw pain
– Ear pain
– Headaches
– Neck pain
– Facial pain
– Popping and clicking sounds in the jaw
– Cracking or popping sound from the ear
– Stiff jaw and neck muscles
– Pain in the jaw while chewing
– Pain and pressure behind the eyes
– Jaw that locks in place or feels out of joint
– Jaw muscles that feel tender or sore
– Swollen face

In some cases, mild TMJ symptoms can resolve on their own after a few days. However, moderate to severe cases can last months or even longer, with many people experiencing recurrent symptoms. If any of the following apply to your situation, contact a TMJ doctor immediately:

– Severe pain that interferes with day-to-day activities or sleep
– Pain or symptoms that last longer than a few days
– A locked jaw or the inability to open or close the mouth
– Symptoms that are accompanied by fever, swelling, redness
– Difficulty eating or drinking

The most qualified medical professional to see for the vast majority of jaw problems is a dentist who specializes in treating jaw disorders. These dentists typically focus specifically on disorders of the jaw, which means they have the most experience evaluating, diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the mouth and jaw. An evaluation for jaw problems may include:

– Discussing symptoms
– Examining the jaw, including:
– Observing range of motion
– Listening to and feeling it open and close
– Pressing on areas to identify sites of pain

If the examining doctor suspects a problem, you may need to undergo further testing, such as a dental x-ray.

If you have problems with your jaw or symptoms associated with TMJ disorder, trust the professionals at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders to provide you with a higher level of care. Our dentists specifically focus on treating jaw problems and TMJ disorders and can help you find relief. Call us today to book an appointment. We look forward to serving you!