TMJ: Causes and Treatments

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint syndrome) is a term used to refer to issues with the jaw and muscles controlling the jaw joint. TMJ can affect the lower jaw area that connects to the skull in front of the ear. While there is no clear cause, there are many conditions that can lead to TMJ.

Some common conditions include:

• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Arthritis of the jaw
• Stress
• Misalignment of the jaw or teeth
• Injury to the jaw

Symptoms of TMJ

If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, it may be time to speak with a doctor to find out if you are suffering from TMJ:

• Pain or tenderness of the far or jaw joint area
• Problems opening the mouth wide
• A stuck or locked jaw
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw when you chew or open or close your mouth
• Swelling on the sides of the face where the jaw joint is

Treatment options for TMJ

If you are seeking relief for TMJ, a doctor will typically recommend pain medications or surgery. Those treatment options come with a long list of risks, and recovery time can be lengthy. If you seek a non-surgical pain relief option, platelet-rich plasma injections can help bring the pain relief you are looking for.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections – These injections use the patient’s blood to kickstart the healing process of the body. The blood’s platelets have important healing components like growth factors and proteins. Platelet-Rich Plasma injections are non-surgical, minimally invasive, and can be prepared quickly at your doctor’s office.

To prepare the injection, the doctor will draw blood from the patient. The blood is then put into a centrifuge and spun rapidly to concentrate the platelets. The platelets are then turned into injections and injected into the jaw. The side effects of platelet-rich plasma injections are minimal since your own platelets are reintroduced to the body.

To find out more about treatments to help relive pain caused by TMJ in St Petersburg, call our office today at (727) 519-3757 to schedule a free consultation. You don’t have to suffer alone!