TMJ Treatment
Understanding the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
What is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder?
You have one temporomandibular joint on each side of your jaw. Damaging one or both of these joints can lead to localized and more widespread discomfort and pain. In the simplest terms, TMD occurs when the jaw joints become inflamed. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Misalignment
- Injury
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Disk erosion
- Arthritis
Get Relief from Temporomandibular Disorders Contact Us Today!
Our downtown Nashville, TN, dental office offers relief for patients suffering from TMD. We see great results in addressing TMJ issues by providing:
- Custom night guards that prevent teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Therapy using BOTOX® injections to relax the jaw muscles
If you are suffering from TMJ problems, come see how we can help at our innovative and comfortable studio. Schedule a consultation today by contacting us online. You can also reach us by phone.
Call a Nashville Dentist Today
(615) 953-3068
Gulch Dental Studio Gives Nashville a Reason to Smile
William Coffey
2021
I’ve traveled all over the country, this place uses the most updated technology I’ve seen. Great service, friendly people and the dental work speaks volumes. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for superior service.
View on GoogleAlly Honeywell
2021
I went to Gulch Studio yesterday for a whitening, and had a great experience all around. Dr. Scott Harris and his staff are absolutely amazing and super friendly. The office is super cozy and comfortable. I highly recommend! Thank you guys!
View on GoogleHow Do I Know if I Have TMD?
You may be suffering from TMJ disorder if you experience the following symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Migraine-like headaches
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Pain in and around your ear
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Stiff or tight neck muscles
- Shoulder pain
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Muscle spasms in the jaw
Many patients also experience a grating sensation as their jaw moves. Others may hear a popping sound when chewing or opening their mouth.
Why You Need Joint Disorder Treatment
Left untreated, these symptoms can have negative effects on your quality of life, including persistent jaw discomfort, sleep impairment, and pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. TMJ disorder can also lead to orthodontic complications that cause long-term damage.
Because these symptoms are not exclusive to TMJ problems, it is important to seek diagnosis from experts in temporomandibular joints.
Let's take a look at how a misaligned bite can cause TMJ disorder:
How Can TMD Be Treated?
At Gulch Dental Studio in Nashville, TN, we offer two treatments for TMJ disorder. The treatment that is right for you will depend on the cause and stage of your condition. In cases where our doctors are not able to help you develop an effective treatment plan, we can refer you to a specialist.
Custom Night Guards
To help our patients suffering from bruxism, we provide custom night guards that you can wear while sleeping. These night guards are designed specifically to fit snugly around your teeth. Ensuring a proper fit is of the utmost importance as it will protect your teeth from the harmful effects of teeth grinding, as well as provide cushioning for your jaw muscles. To create an appliance personalized to your smile, we will need to take an impression which will be sent to our trusted dental lab.
BOTOX Cosmetic
Muscle relaxants are a common and effective treatment for TMJ issues. At our office, we proudly offer BOTOX Cosmetic to help relax the muscles around the jaw joints. Relaxing these muscles prevents them from clenching, grinding, and creating tension. This can provide relief from jaw pain and headaches. Our doctors can inject BOTOX in our office during one quick appointment. Patients may begin to feel muscle tenderness disappear almost immediately.
Our Doctors Are Here for You Get in Touch with Gulch Dental Studio
In our luxurious and modern dental studio in Nashville, TN, our doctors provide customized treatment options for TMJ problems. These procedures have helped many patients find relief from their pain and discomfort.
If you believe you are experiencing TMJ disorder symptoms, contact us online or call:
(615) 953-3068
High-Quality Dentistry in Downtown Nashville
Ishi von Meier
2021
Had my first cleaning here had a great experience, Sydney was very gentle but thorough. The staff and the Dr are all super cool. Also I was able to actually get an appointment within a week or so, some other dentists were booked out for 3 months+ Recommended
View on GoogleTravis Stem
2021
Excellent facility. Excellent employees. The dentist was very friendly and considerate of my time and situation. He worked hard to ensure my tooth was fixed quickly as possible.
View on GoogleTMD Is Often Tied to Inflammation in the Jaw Joint
Did You Know?
TMJ Timeline
When you come to our Nashville office for a TMJ consultation, you can expect roughly the following timeline:
In addition to BOTOX injections and custom bite splints for sleep, there are lifestyle changes that may be able to relieve some of your TMJ pain and other symptoms.
Learn About Your Treatment Options Come Visit Gulch Dental Studio
You don't have to live with facial pain and limited jaw movement. The team at Gulch Dental Studios in Nashville can remedy temporomandibular disorders using different methods. When you come in for a consultation at our office, we can determine if physical therapy exercises in addition to other TMJ treatment options will be beneficial to you. Contact Gulch Dental Studio online or give us a call today.
Call Our Office in Nashville
(615) 953-3068
We're Here to Solve Your Dental Problems
Christopher Bland
2021
Easy to book appointment. Incredible location in the Gulch. I will for sure be coming back every 6 months for my regular cleaning.
View on GoogleMike Lawson
2021
They give off such a positive energy. As much as I do not want to go to the dentist, when I have to, this is where I will go. Very good people.
View on GoogleIsn't BOTOX a Cosmetic Treatment?
Some patients are surprised when we recommend using BOTOX Cosmetic as a treatment for TMJ-related problems. It is true that BOTOX is best known as a cosmetic treatment, but it produces its cosmetic results by working as a muscle relaxer. When it relaxes facial muscles, it can reduce wrinkles. When applied to the TMJs, it can loosen up the muscle and alleviate pain and tightness. Treating TMJ disorder with BOTOX is low-risk and widely accepted among the dental community.
TMJ Disorder FAQ
Can a TMJ disorder just go away on its own?
In certain cases, yes. TMJ disorders may only be temporary, coinciding with a brief bout of teeth grinding or a particularly stressful time in a person's life. It's important to speak about your joint dysfunction symptoms with your dentist, particularly if your symptoms are chronic or getting noticeably worse over time.What causes teeth grinding (bruxism)?
Teeth grinding is most often caused by poor dental alignment, excessive stress, and the use of certain medications. In many cases, TMJ pain and other TMD symptoms can be reduced by properly treating a patient's teeth grinding.Is there any way to prevent a TMJ disorder?
Since teeth grinding and temporomandibular disorders are often linked, prevention methods often involve anything that reduces the risk of clenching teeth at night. This might include orthodontic care, stress-relief techniques, and proper posture.What if non-invasive treatment is not effective?
If mouth guards, BOTOX injections, and lifestyle changes do not significantly relieve TMD symptoms, more invasive therapies may be recommended. This includes arthrocentesis, which uses needles to wash out the jaw joint and remove scar tissue; arthroscopy, which allows surgeons to identify and remove inflamed tissue through a small incision; and open surgery on the jaw joint.A Dental Care Leader in Nashville
Jillian Lentz
2022
I am extremely sensitive when it comes to any matter regarding my teeth or the word "dentist." I despise going to the dentist BUT Dr. Harris and Jenna were so pleasant, professional, and kind to my anxiety! They made me feel at ease and handled the cleaning and initial exam so carefully. I would 100% recommend GDS and will be doing so to all my friends who just moved here.
View on GoogleAustin Chase
2021
Great experience, under the circumstances, needing an emergency fix for a badly chipped front tooth. The staff was friendly. Everything was explained with all questions answered and the end result was awesome. Dr. Harris is an artist :D restoring my million dollar smile ;-) Thx to everyone at Gulch Dental Studio!
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