Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon located in Beverly Hills, CA
tmj
When chronic jaw pain makes it difficult to talk or chew your food, Dr. Harouni can help. At his oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Beverly Hills, Dr. Harouni offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, including Arthrocentesis, Arthroscopy, nightguards and Botox® therapy to improve your jaw functionality and alleviate chronic pain. To find out more about ending the pain of TMJ-related disorders, schedule a consultation online or by phone.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge on both sides of your head that connects the jaw to your skull.
TMJ disorders affect the movement of your jaw and can cause chronic pain, making it difficult to chew or speak.
What causes TMJ disorders?
A variety of issues can contribute to TMJ-related dysfunction and pain. You can develop a TMJ disorder if you have bruxism, a condition that causes you to frequently clench or grind your teeth. You may also develop a TMJ disorder due to:
- Genetics
- Arthritis
- Jaw injury
- Facial Trauma
Dr. Harouni can determine the root cause of your jaw pain after a thorough dental evaluation and an assessment of X-rays of your jaw.
"I’m so glad I chose this doctor for my tooth extraction. Not only did I feel comfortable with his bedside manner, but he is also very professional as well. He gave me postoperative instructions and even followed up with a telephone call the same day to make sure my pain was under control. It’s hard to find doctors nowadays to go out of the way to follow up with you. I’ve already recommended him to a couple of my friends in the area as well. Thanks so much Dr. Harouni!"
Benjamin B
What are the symptoms of a TMJ disorder?
With a TMJ-related disorder, you may experience persistent tenderness or pain in one or both of the jaw joints. Other symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
- Difficulty chewing
- Locking of your jaw joint
- Aches or pain around your ears
- Noise and popping sounds during opening and closing your mouth
It’s also typical to hear a clicking sound or feel a grating sensation every time you move your jaw.
What treatment options are available for TMJ?
Depending on the severity of your TMJ symptoms and the nature of your jaw issue, Dr. Harouni may initially recommend nonsurgical treatments to relieve pain. These treatments may include over-the-counter or prescription medications to prevent inflammation and pain in your jaw.
Dr. Harouni may also suggest oral appliances, such as a mouthguard, to protect your teeth and jaw from damage due to clenching and grinding.
In some cases, injection therapy using corticosteroids can relieve inflammation in the jaw joint. Dr. Harouni may also use Botox injections that temporarily paralyze the jaw muscles to relieve painful chewing or speaking.
When nonsurgical therapies aren’t effective in relieving pain or increasing jaw function, Dr. Harouni may recommend minimally invasive surgery to correct abnormalities in the jaw joint.
Does jaw surgery offer long-term relief of TMJ?
Corrective jaw surgery can provide relief of pain and dysfunction relating to a TMJ disorder. Dr. Harouni also provides guidance for preventing the return of TMJ-related symptoms following surgery. He may suggest cutting foods into smaller pieces for easier chewing and avoiding sticky or chewy foods.
Dr. Harouni may also provide you with stretching exercises to do at home that strengthen your jaw muscles.
To end the chronic jaw pain of a TMJ disorder, schedule a consultation online or by calling the Beverly Hills office.
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