Grand Rapids TMJ Treatment
Treating Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, Michigan And Surrounding Areas
Research in the area of TMJ treatment is making progress on a daily basis. Today’s effective treatments are the fruit of neuromuscular dentists all over the country combining creativity and science to find better solutions. After you undergo your complete TMJ diagnosis, Dr. Mulder and his team will present solutions designed to first relieve you from the pain, and then move the misaligned jaw into a new and more comfortable resting position.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
The TENS unit works wonders to relieve pain and tension in the head, neck and jaw area. While you relax in a comfortable chair, low frequency electrical stimulation will be applied to help your jaw relax. It feels like a gentle tapping on your face. After about a half-hour, you’ll notice reduced pain. When your jaw becomes completely relaxed, it will be in its natural position, rather than in a clenched, painful position.
Dr. Mulder then records this new jaw position. From the information gathered by the TENS unit, he can establish a new bite position for you that will be as close as possible to your relaxed position. Then he will start planning the treatments to achieve it.
Further treatments for TMJ may include:
- Tooth reshaping and/or realignment
- A splint to retrain your jaw muscles to the new, relaxed bite position
- Heat and ice therapy
- Physiotherapy (jaw exercises)
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Surgery (only if other treatments are less successful than hoped)
For TMJ treatment in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas such as Muskegon, contact certified neuromuscular dentist Dr. Jerry Mulder. Call or email our office today to schedule a free smile evaluation.
