tmj treatment Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

How Long Does TMJ Last?

Posted on February 23, 2023 by AllSmiles.

How long does TMJ last? Since late October, I have had horrible jaw pain and clicking when I open my mouth or eat. I also have very painful and clogged ears. Sometimes, they ring, which affects my sleep. I am concerned that I feel tired when I wake up after pain and ear-ringing episodes. My dentist said surgery would just make it worse, and the medicine would help, but it is not helping. Will the pain eventually go away? – Morgan

Morgan,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental. We understand your concerns about your TMJ discomfort and other symptoms. Although Dr. Delaune would need to perform a comprehensive exam to identify the source of your discomfort, we will explain the basics about how long symptoms can last.

How Long Does TMJ Last?

TMJ can last a few days to a few weeks or longer depending on several factors, including:

The severity of your case
The cause of your symptoms
Whether you get treatment, including self-help or professional care
Your compliance with treatment recommendations

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

TMJ pain and discomfort sometimes go away with self-care, including TMJ exercises, alternately applying heat and cold to the side of your face, and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, you may not be completely relieved of the symptoms, but they can improve. Some cases require professional care. If you have lingering symptoms, we suggest an appointment with a dentist with training and experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ. You may need to wear a custom night guard to relax your jaw and relieve the TMJ joint and facial muscles while sleeping.

Schedule an appointment with a dentist experienced in this area. They will evaluate your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

I’m So Tired of My TMJ Ear Pain

Posted on December 10, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I am so tired of my TMJ ear pain. I’ve had sharp, shooting ear pain on and off for the past three years, and it’s getting worse. In 2019, I saw a massage therapist, which seemed to help, but I moved during Covid and have not gotten back on track. My therapist then recommended self-exercises and warm packs on the sides of my mouth. I’m beginning to have neck pain at night for the past month.

Sleep is challenging because I also snore and know my sleep quality must be poor. I only have a dog at home, so no one is here to tell me how badly I store, but my dog doesn’t leave the room at night. Yesterday morning, I was talking with several colleagues, and the topic of sleep apnea came up. One person said they got good results from wearing a mouthguard at night. I’ve tried that before, but it didn’t seem to help. Are there alternatives? Thank you. Josiah from UT

Josiah,

We are sorry to hear that you’ve been suffering from TMJ symptoms and ear pain. We hope that our response will help you find relief.

What Causes TMJ Ear Pain?

The jaw joint is near the ear canal, so TMJ inflammation can affect your ears, causing pain or ringing (tinnitus). An ENT specialist or dentist trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders can determine if TMJ or another condition is causing your ear pain or ringing.

What Is the Treatment for TMJ?

TMJ treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition. After an examination, a TMJ dentist will explain treatment options, which may include:

Anti-inflammatory medication
Applying moist heat to the area
Custom night guard to minimize the effects of clenching and grinding your teeth
Eating soft foods
Relaxation techniques
TMJ stretches and exercises

Are Sleep Apnea and TMJ Related?

Studies show that sleep apnea and TMJ disorders are related. According to a 2019 article published in The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice, when the jaw joint malfunction contributes to

Teeth grinding
Headaches
Ear pain
Sleep disturbances

Request a Consultation with a TMJ Dentist

If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, schedule an exam with a dentist with post-graduate training in diagnosing TMJ disorders. After a comprehensive exam, the dentist will explain how you can get relief.

In Metairie, Louisiana, Dr. Duane Delaune has been diagnosing and treating TMJ cases for decades. Visit his website to read about his training.

New Crowns Affect My Speech and Make My Neck Hurt

Posted on January 7, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My dentist placed four new crowns on my front teeth. Two crowns got rid of a gap between my center front teeth, and my dentist added two more crowns to even out my smile so the center teeth would not look too large. Since getting the crowns, my mouth does not close correctly, and I have trouble pronouncing some words, like words that begin with “tr.”

Also, my mouth and lips are dry, and I have some neck and jaw pain. I’ve had the crowns for three months, and despite my dentist’s adjustments, I see no improvements. I prefer to go back to my gap because the crowns are so uncomfortable.

My dentist asked me to give him more time, But I am unsure what we are waiting for. So far, I do not have another appointment scheduled with him. What are my options? Thank you. Edgardo from TX

Edgardo,

Your description is a problem that requires the attention of a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite. Dentists who study occlusion and bite understand proper jaw function and how your upper and lower teeth should meet when you close your mouth or bite down.

When Dental Crowns Cause Speech Issues and Pain

When a dentist places new crowns, you begin to experience speech issues and neck and jaw pain, so closing your gaps is not the issue. Usually, the problem is that your dentist opened your bit too far.

Several issues can create a bite that opens too far:

Crowns are too thick
Crowns are too long

Symptoms from Poor-Fitting Crowns

Poor-fitting crowns can prevent proper mouth closure and neck and jaw pain.

Lip incompetence – When your lips cannot close naturally without effort, it can lead to dry mouth. And as saliva production decreases, bacteria breeds And black buildup leads to tooth decay.
Jaw and neck pain – Upper and lower teeth that do not meet cause jaw strain. Repeated stress results in neck and jaw pain.

Get a Second Opinion for Your Dental Crowns

Schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training in occlusion and bite. Your neck and jaw pain should resolve with new crowns that fit well. Otherwise, if your symptoms continue, the National Institutes of Health’s brochure on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder recommends conservative treatment. A dentist may recommend a custom split to wear and night and help your jaw relax.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

Crowns that fit well prevent speech issues and jaw and neck pain.
Photos are of Dr. Delaune’s patient.

Is It TMJ or an Ear Infection?

Posted on March 13, 2019 by AllSmiles.

Does your ear hurt and feel full and you think it might be related to TMJ? How can you determine the real cause of your symptoms?

What Is TMJ?

TMJ has is an acronym that is commonly used to describe dysfunction with the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the bone on the side of your head (temporal).

There are many signs and symptoms associated with TMJ. And you don’t have to experience them all to have a TMJ disorder. You might be experiencing one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

Pain in or around your ear
Chronic headaches
Chronic earaches
Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
Chronic neck pain
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth
Jaw clenching
Jaw pain or soreness that is worse in the morning or late afternoon
Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
Tender jaw muscles
Sensitivity in your teeth
Bruxism (grinding your teeth)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

Although you may not be experiencing all of them, common signs and symptoms of an ear infection in adults include:

Ear pain
Fluid draining from the ear
Impaired hearing
Fullness in the ear
Nausea
Dizziness
In severe cases, a stiff neck and/or fever

If you think you have TMJ, schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training in the disorder. He or she will examine your teeth, jaw, and bite to make the determination.

How Will It Be Treated?

If you have TMJ, a customized mouthguard will be recommended for you to wear while you sleep. It will relax your jaw and prevent bruxism, which is often related to TMJ.
Relaxation and jaw exercises might be recommended to help relax the muscles.
It can also help to alternately apply hot and cold packs to the side of your face where the muscles are sore.

What If Your Symptoms Don’t Match TMJ?

Even if you don’t think you have TMJ, chronic ear pain should not be ignored. An untreated infection can spread and permanently affect your hearing and balance. You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. If necessary he or she will refer you to a specialist.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Duane Delaune of Delaune Dental in New Orleans.

Do I Have tmj or tmd?

Posted on January 31, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m a little confused about which problem I have. I’ve been having problems with severe headaches and pain in my jaw. Someone said they think I have TMJ . I went home to look that up and there seems to be two things. One is called TMJ and one is called TMD. How do I know which one I have?

Carol

Dear Carol,

There’s a good reason you are confused about this. Even though they have two different technical meanings, people (especially patients) use them synonymously.

TMJ refers to the temporomadibular joint. I’ve placed a picture of it above so you can see a close up of it. TMD refers to the disorder of the temporomandibular joint.

Generally, when people say TMJ they mean TMJ disorder (or TMD).

If You Have TMJ Disorder

The symptoms you’ve described above do relate to TMJ Disorder.
There are many possible reasons for developing jaw problems. Your next step would be to see a dentist with expertise in TMJ problems, so he can properly diagnose the cause.

You want a dentist who’ has invested in significant post-doctoral training in TMJ diagnosis and treatment. For instance, Dr. Delaune has done extensive training with the world renown Dawson Academy.

There is not a recognized TMJ Specialty so any general dentist can call themselves a TMJ dentist. That makes it especially important you know that the dentist you’re dealing with is actually qualified.

Treatments vary depending on the cause. It can range from a simple orthotic device up to a full-mouth reconstruction. Good dentists start with the most conservative treatment except for the most rare, devastating cases.

I hope this helps. This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Can My Dentist Treat My TMJ?

Posted on July 31, 2018 by writeradmin.

I was talking to my dentist about some jaw pain. He asked me a few questions and said he thinks I have TMJ disorder. We scheduled a follow-up appointment to run some additional tests and discuss treatment. After I got home I started wondering if instead of just going to my general dentist about this I should schedule an appointment with a TMJ Dentist. What do you think? Is it safe to stay with my dentist for this?

Miranda W.

Dear Miranda,

Your doubts are based on a common misunderstanding about TMJ. There isn’t really such a thing as a TMJ Dentist. By that I mean there isn’t a recognized TMJ specialty with the American Dental Association (ADA). All TMJ dentists are just general dentists. That being said, it doesn’t mean every general dentist is qualified to treat TMJ. It does require specialized training. So how do you know if your particular dentist has what it takes?

The first thing I’d do is check their website. If they have a TMJ page, check to see if they list any specific training. If they don’t have a page, check their bio. They should list some respected institute where they did post-doctoral studies in TMJ diagnosis and treatment. For instance, Dr. Delaune trained at the esteemed Dawson Academy. Other respected institutes would be among the following:

The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI)
The Kois Center
The Pankey Institute
Spear Institute

There are others, but these are among the best.

Warning Signs about TMJ Dentist

One thing to be aware of is aggressiveness in treatment. Dentists with expertise in TMJ will start with the least invasive treatment options first. If your dentist goes straight to suggesting a full mouth reconstruction, I’d quickly get a second opinion. Those are only necessary in severe cases and other solutions are tried first.

Often jaw pain can be caused by teeth grinding or clenching. Patients may not even recognize they’re doing it, especially if it only occurs while they’re sleeping. In that case, wearing a simple custom-fitted night guard is all you need to solve the problem.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Botox is good for wrinkles, but what about for TMJ pain/migraines?

Posted on September 29, 2016 by smiles4u.

I’ve been dealing with TMJ for many years and also many treatments that never seem to work. I was just about at my wits end when I read some information about Botox being used successfully to treat myofascial pain and migraines caused by TMJ. And of course, I can’t help but consider the cosmetic benefits, too. Can any dentist administer Botox, and if not, how do find someone who can? — Chonda

Chonda,
If you suffer from TMJ pain and/or migraines, Botox has been found to relax the masseter and/or temporalis muscles. It must be placed in several spots in the belly of the muscles and if done correctly, you will notice a difference pretty quickly. It’s important that any TMJ treatment be done by a TMJ specialist — a maxillofacial surgeon, oral surgeon, or general dentist with an extensive background in TMJ. They will be able to assess your bite, understand the underlying causes of your TMJ and they might even have experience with injecting Botox. If not, ask if they work closely with a professional that does. It’s extremely important to do your research before making any sort of decision to move forward. Find out if your provider does this type of treatment, how many patients per month, and what the outcomes were. Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Dentist says I need an Anterior Repositioning Splint… what is it?

Posted on February 26, 2016 by smiles4u.

I’ve been seeing a dentist for jaw pain and at my last appointment he mentioned fitting me for an Anterior Repositioning Splint. He didn’t really tell me much about it or how it will help me. Is it made out of plastic and is it very big? What will it do? — Jeremiah

Jeremiah,
Dentists often prescribe an anterior repositioning splint (ARS) to re-position or realign the condyles (in basic terms, the condyles are the hinge of the jaw). It treats disc displacement by helping place your jaw joints into a more normal position. If you experience clicks or lock jaw, the ARS will allow your lower jaw and temporomandibular joints to move into a position that reduce those symptoms.

The splint is made of acrylic and typically worn all the time for several months. It can affect speech if it’s worn on your top arch, but the good news is that if you can get through the 3-4 months, your jaw should be in the correct position and you can stop wearing it. The ARS will help your muscles and ligaments relax so you should also see a reduction in grinding or clenching. This type of appliance should only be used for the amount of time recommended by your dentist as it could cause changes to your bite if worn too long.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Insurance coverage for TMJ treatment

Posted on April 13, 2015 by smiles4u.

Is a TMJ specialist covered by my insurance? — Marcus

Marcus,
When you’re in pain, it’s unfortunate that most of us have to worry about how cost will dictate a method of treatment, or if you even decide to get specialized treatment. If it was simple, we would all just be able to see who we want and be on the road to a pain free life. But, it’s not that simple. And, if you have seen many TMJ “specialists” in the past, it’s important to remember that while those doctors may market themselves that way, there really is not a true, recognized TMJ specialty.

There are many types of recommended treatment. Conservative methods such as relaxation techniques, medications, or night guards are more common with many dentists and much more widely accepted when it comes to insurance (night guards are covered with a report by the dentist saying it’s for Bruxism, or grinding). On the other end of the spectrum, there are dentists who call themselves “neuromuscular dentists” (usually LVI trained) who skip the night guard all together and go for Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) which uses a low-level electrical current to relax facial muscles in combination with an orthotic device to find the optimal position for your jaw, by detecting your malocclusion and then making a treatment plan to correct your bite. Plan to pay out of pocket a least a few thousand dollars for this because it is not a covered benefit. Then there is bite correction. Crowns, composites, and possibly orthodontics can be recommended for that. You’ll pay at least 50% of crown work and orthodontics, if you have coverage for that.

Always check your coverage before undergoing any TMJ treatment because most insurance plans do not have TMJ coverage. Paying more doesn’t always mean that you will get better results, so first try more conservative treatments and make some changes in your diet, exercise and stress relief. All those things can make a measurable difference and you definitely don’t need insurance for that.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Do I Need Full-Mouth Reconstruction to Fix My TMJ Disorder?

Posted on November 19, 2014 by smiles4u.

I was visiting my hygienist and we were chatting as usual. I happened to mention that I had been suffering from a lot of headaches over the past few months. I wasn’t looking for help with them, just talking.

Well, she goes and tells the dentist what I said and, next thing I know, he’s messing with my jaw. He said he feels certain that I have a TMJ disorder and that I need full-mouth reconstruction to fix it. I was beside myself. I’ve never even heard of something like that. Then, to make matters worse, the assistant brings me in an estimate and says my insurance probably won’t cover this so-called necessary treatment and that to cure my headaches, I’ll have to pony up more than I make in a year. It sounds like snake-oil to me. Is there any truth at all to this or is he just trying to make a quick buck? — Monica in Alabama

Monica,
In all fairness, your hygienist has a responsibility to let the doctor know any medially-relevant information that you tell her, even if it’s only in conversation. In this respect, she was no-doubt looking out for your best interests. Moreover, headaches are indeed a symptom of TMJ disorders, so they were spot-on with that as well.

It doesn’t sound like they took the time to explain why you received the diagnosis, though. A TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint isn’t working properly. That’s your jawbone. Most commonly, people begin to experience pain in the jawbone as a result of grinding or clenching. Sometimes they do it while they sleep, so they’re not even aware of their habit. Other times, people clench while agitated and don’t realize it. Malalignment can also cause issues, too. Any of these things can affect the wear on your teeth and cause pain throughout your mouth, jaw, head and neck. If left untreated, a lot of damage can be caused, and it becomes more difficult to manage.

Typically, a full-mouth reconstruction is needed when the problem has been on-going. Doctors usually try to treat TMJ disorders conservatively at first, perhaps with a bite splint to wear overnight. However, we also don’t know the root cause of your issue, nor do we know the extent of the damage, so it’s impossible to say whether full-mouth reconstruction is warranted.

Technically, there are no TMJ specialists. Nevertheless, you can find a dentist in your area who has spent extra time studying conditions related to it. If your treatment plan and estimate sound excessive, there’s a very good chance you’re right. Find another doctor who has the additional training and experience needed to provide you with a solid second opinion.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.