TMJ Treatment

Your neuromuscular system includes your teeth, jaw, facial muscles, nerves, and jaw joints. All of these elements work together when you chew, speak, and smile. If one thing is out of balance, the result can be muscle tension, teeth grinding, back pain, and other nagging symptoms. When the jaw joints are misaligned, it’s known as TMJ dysfunction.

TMJ dysfunction is extremely common, though it’s often misdiagnosed. Many patients see a general physician for chronic headaches, only to find that their symptoms are treated instead of the cause. As a neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Poss understands how the components of the oral system work together and how to correct the problem when an element gets out of line.

Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:

• Jaw popping or clicking
• Earaches or dizziness
• Tingling in the extremities
• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Back, neck, or shoulder pain
• Teeth grinding
• Cracked or sensitive teeth

These symptoms can become so severe that patients will miss work and cancel weekend plans. One of the most rewarding things Dr. Poss does is make chronic headaches and migraines disappear; often with simple therapies, such as a custom-made oral appliance.

Discussion of TMJ Treatment with Dr. Poss.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Dr. Poss uses advanced diagnostic technology to find your correct jaw alignment, and then creates an appliance that holds your jaw in place while you sleep. Tense muscles relax and are “re-programmed” to find a comfortable resting position. Headaches and teeth grinding quickly dissipate. If TMJ dysfunction has caused damage to your teeth, including broken or worn teeth, he can restore the aesthetics of your smile with cosmetic dentistry or full-mouth reconstruction.

If you suspect you might have TMJ dysfunction and would like to speak to an established neuromuscular dentist, call Poss Dental Designs of Nashville for your consultation. With a simple dental exam, Dr. Poss can determine of your discomfort is dental-related and set you back on the path to a pain-free existence.

Delivering Sensational Smiles Since 1983

Call our Brentwood, TN practice to schedule an appointment with Dr. Poss. Convenient to Nashville and Franklin residents, our dental office serves the greater Williamson County with exceptional dentistry for sensational smiles.