New Patients (410) 221-3085

Current Patients (410) 628-6070

1 Texas Station Ct Suite 110 Timonium, MD 21093

TMJ Treatment Timonium, MD

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is caused when the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is injured or damaged. Dr. Paul Karpovich offers TMJ treatment in his Timonium, MD dental office. He helps alleviate dental and facial pain caused by TMD symptoms with conservative treatment measures.

Dr. Karpovich may take x-rays to help determine the function of the bite and any areas of wear. Thoroughly examining the teeth and gums allows Dr. Karpovich to form a complete picture of the problem and recommend the appropriate restorative dentistry treatment.

Treat TMJ in Timonium, Maryland

Treat TMD in Timonium, MD at Paul W. Karpovich, DDS, P.A.

Dr. Karpovich provides night guards for most patients exhibiting the signs of a TMJ disorder, including worn or damaged teeth. Night guards are oral appliances worn during sleep that protect teeth from further wear and tear. Wearing a night guard takes the pressure off of the jaw and stops teeth from grinding together. Severe forms of bruxism can change the fit of the bite and cause discomfort and pain in the jaw, head, and face.

If you have mild TMD symptoms, you can treat them by:

  • Performing jaw exercises
  • Relaxing the facial muscles
  • Eating soft foods to rest the jaw
  • Using a heat pack
  • Sleeping on your side

If you have mild TMD but your symptoms worsen, please call our Timonium dental office as soon as possible so we can help. Sometimes, patients with TMD require restorative dental treatments like tooth bonding or dental crowns to strengthen and protect damaged teeth. We can also recommend specialists if you require surgery in the joint itself.

Treating the signs of TMJ early can help you to avoid permanent damage and the need for more invasive treatment.

Common Symptoms of TMJ

A TMJ disorder may manifest in multiple ways, including:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding)
  • Tooth pain and sensitivity
  • Jaw soreness
  • Tooth wear
  • Lockjaw
  • Muscle soreness

Please contact our office if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Dr. Karpovich will provide a thorough examination and create a custom treatment plan for you based on your dental health needs and range of symptoms.

TMJ Disorder FAQs

What does TMJ ear pain feel like?

Some patients with TMJ disorders can feel ear pain because their temporomandibular joints are close to their ears. Patients who experience ear pain due to TMJ may feel dull, sustained ear pain or sharp and sudden ear pain. Pain medication can help alleviate ear pain due to TMJ.

What causes TMJ flare-ups?

TMJ disorders can flare up if you eat hard or crunchy foods, have poor posture, or feel stressed. Knowing what triggers your symptoms and correcting your behavior can prevent flare-ups.

Will a TMJ problem show on X-rays?

Yes, a dentist will take dental X-rays of your teeth and jaw to help diagnose TMJ disorders. TMJ problems are also apparent on MRI, ultrasounds, and CBCT scans. We can see areas of wear and misalignment in the temporomandibular joints.

Where can you feel TMJ pain?

Pain from TMJ disorders begins in the temporomandibular joints and radiates to the jaw, face, ear, temple, and teeth. TMJ disorders can often lead to headaches and earaches because of the connectivity of the structures in the face and head.

Can you have TMJ pain on one side of your face?

It is possible to feel more pain in one side of your face than the other when you have TMD. However, you can eventually feel pain on both sides of your face. Pain that originates on one TMJ can potentially spread without prompt care.

Will heat help TMJ pain?

We recommend using an ice pack if you experience swelling from new TMJ swelling and inflammation. If you have chronic TMJ problems, use a heating pack to relax stiff joints and muscles in your face. When using ice or heat, place the pack on your face in 15 minute increments.

Call Our Dental Office for TMJ Treatment Today

Stop chronic headaches and jaw pain at the source with treatment for TMJ. Call Dr. Karpovich at (410) 221-3085 or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients in the Hunt Valley, Towson, and Timonium areas. Let us know if you have any questions about your treatment options. We will be happy to help you get the answers you need.