Virginia Sleep and TMJ Therapy Dr. Rebecca Angus TMJ Care

Richmond TMJ Care

Diagnosing & Treating Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Jaw pain is very common—according to a recent study by the National Institute of Dental Research and Craniofacial Research, about 11-12 million adults in the U.S. report that they experience jaw pain. One of the most common causes of jaw pain is TMD disorders, or disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles. At Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy in Richmond, VA, we understand that jaw pain can be debilitating—it can make it difficult to chew, speak and perform everyday tasks. We proudly partner with Angus Dentistry to provide swift diagnosis and non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatment for TMJ disorders so our patients can live pain-free.

What is
TMJ?

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint which connects your jawbone to your skull. This joint allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and move your jaw from side to side. Also called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), TMJ disorders occur when there are problems with the muscles and/or the joint itself that can cause jaw pain, difficulty chewing and more.

TMJ Risk Factors
& Diagnosis

The exact causes of these disorders are unknown—however, there are certain factors that can increase your risk. Chronic stress, teeth grinding, autoimmune diseases, genetics and more can all impact the function of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles. Our partners at Angus Dentistry will take a holistic approach to diagnosis, performing a physical exam and taking into account your medical history and symptoms to determine the best course of treatment.

TMJ
Treatment

We specialize in non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatment options for TMD. Depending on your symptoms and unique needs, your doctor may recommend at-home remedies (such as eating soft foods and applying ice and heat), physical therapy, oral appliance therapy, dry needling and/or Botox® injections. Our ultimate goal is to alleviate patients’ symptoms, reduce pain and improve function without the hassle of invasive surgical treatment.