TMJ Therapy in Vienna, VA

Your TMJ (temporomandibular joints), or jaw joints, are the points where your lower jaw attaches to your skull and are positioned on each side of your head. Responsible for enabling all types of oral function, the TMJ allows you to open and close your mouth smoothly, bite and chew properly, and talk, laugh, and yawn. In some cases, the jaw joints or their supporting muscles may become injured or damaged, causing an often debilitating condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD). TMD may result in symptoms, like jaw or facial pain, frequent headaches, and a range of other concerns.

If you experience any symptoms of TMD, board-certified oral surgeon Dr. Michael Kuzmik is here to help and can customize TMJ therapy to meet your specific needs. He utilizes advanced diagnostic techniques to asses your TMD condition and determines the best treatment option for relieving your symptoms. TMJ treatment may include oral appliance therapy (night guards), bite adjustments, or a surgical approach in advanced cases. For personalized TMJ care, contact Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Tysons Corner in Vienna, VA today to schedule your appointment.

Though the exact cause of TMD is unknown, several factors can contribute to its presence. TMD could be brought on by injury to the face or jaw, tooth misalignment, and chronic or habitual teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism). Other less common conditions that can result in TMD include arthritis in the joint or a temporomandibular joint tumor. In some instances, the reason for TMD cannot be determined. However, if you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of TMD, Dr. Kuzmik can diagnose and provide care for your jaw joint health.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of TMD are pain or tenderness around the jaw joint, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, limited range of jaw movement, earaches, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and migraines or frequent headaches. Additional signs may include popping, grinding, or clicking noises that occur when you eat, speak, or yawn. Since most of these symptoms will not resolve on their own, you may require the help of a specialist to improve your jaw joint health.

During your TMJ treatment consultation, Dr. Kuzmik will assess your jaw joints and listen carefully to your concerns. Throughout the examination, he and our team will evaluate how your jaw moves when opening and closing and identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms, such as bite misalignment or teeth grinding. Dr. Kuzmik will also palpate the jaw joint and surrounding area to examine for any swelling or tenderness. We may take digital images of your jaw joint area, including cone beam CT scans, x-rays, or an MRI, and conduct an analysis of your bite to identify underlying factors that will help Dr. Kuzmik determine the treatment approach best suited for you. Depending on your specific needs and our findings, treatment options may include night guard therapy, BOTOX® injections, orthodontic care, and restorative dentistry, or jaw surgery in more severe cases.

Along with treatments to address the contributing factors of your TMD condition, Dr. Kuzmik may recommend palliative strategies to alleviate your pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. These suggestions may include eating a soft food diet, avoiding parafunctional habits, like nail-biting and gum chewing, hot and cold compresses, and relaxation techniques. Our team may also show you exercises designed to strengthen your jaw muscles or prescribe medication to relax your facial muscles and alleviate pain, nervousness, or joint inflammation.

Following your TMJ treatment, we may schedule follow-up visits with our Tysons Corner team so that we can assess your jaw joint health and progress. If your therapy is not producing the desired results, Dr. Kuzmik may consider another strategy. Maintaining your oral health at home and through regular care with your general dentist is important to your overall health and wellness. Dr. Kuzmik can collaborate with your dentist to ensure continued TMJ care and help you maintain jaw joint health.  

Dental insurance coverage for TMD treatments may vary so our knowledgeable team will get in touch with your provider and calculate any personal expenses. Before beginning your care, we will review your treatment options with you and present associated costs. To make receiving TMD care affordable, Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Tysons Corner accepts several convenient payment methods and can provide information on medical financing.

TMJ health is extremely important to your overall oral health and well-being, and pain in your jaw can make it difficult to eat, speak, and enjoy your everyday life. Since there is a wide range of potential causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options for TMD, it is important to partner with a specialist trained in this type of care. Contact our experienced surgical team at Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Tysons Corner in Vienna, VA today to schedule your TMJ evaluation.