TMJ Treatment in Columbus - Grove City TMJ Specialist

Neuromuscular dentistry requires careful evaluation of each individual’s unique symptoms. Dr. Raymond Sheridan has years of experience interpreting abnormal jaw movements and finding strategic solutions to give his patients relief from the condition of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).

From Diagnosis to Treatment

TMJ treatment is highly dependent on state-of-the-art jaw tracking technology. The Myotronics K7 system is a diagnostic tool that maps the motions and sounds of the jaw components. Once Dr. Sheridan identifies the causes of your imbalanced bite, he can select the best forms of treatment.

After we identify how your jaw operates during activities like chewing and speaking, we can use this information to determine the most comfortable at-rest position. Our first concern is minimizing pain and other negative effects of the bad bite. Comprehensively, our treatment goal will be to use the various bite-enhancement options to gently encourage your jaw into this ideal position.

Possible TMJ Treatment Options

As above, our concern is to stop your TMJ symptoms as quickly as possible. Often, we can do this during your first visit using TENS, a kind of electrical massage that helps your jaw muscles relax. This can provide immediate, sometimes short-term relief for many patients because it stops your muscles from fighting against your teeth and jaw, spine, and other bones. For some people, periodic use of the TENS massage is sufficient to give long-term relief.

For other people, treatment with an orthotic is recommended. An orthotic is a mouthpiece that you wear for a short time every day, often while you sleep. This orthotic holds your jaw in an optimal position so that your muscles can relax and will stop impinging on your nerves, blood vessels, and other nearby systems.

For some people, it is necessary to perform a full-mouth restoration to achieve long-term results. This typically involves using orthodontics to correct the alignment of your teeth, replacing any missing teeth (often with dental implants), and building up worn down teeth (with dental crowns) so that your jaw fits together naturally in its ideal position.

During a free TMJ consultation, Dr. Sheridan will address your questions about TMJ. Please contact Sheridan Dental today to schedule yours.