Pain is the body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and needs attention. If the pain you are feeling is in your head, neck, and shoulders, then this may actually be due to a problem in your jaw. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a condition that affects the joints on either side of your head that allow you to open and close your mouth to talk, chew, yawn and even laugh. With TMJ therapy, Dr. Renee Corbitt in Ft. Worth, TX, treats this uncomfortable ailment by non-surgical means.
Usually, TMJ is the result of a bite problem that affects the jaw. If some of your teeth are not well structured, or if teeth are worn because of grinding or clenching, then the jaw’s muscles may reposition the joints out of their sockets in order to make your upper and lower teeth fit together. Other possible causes of TMJ are some kind of traumatic injury to the head, face or neck that affects the jaw, arthritis, infection, some auto-immune diseases or a genetic predisposition to TMJ.
The Symptoms of TMJ
Although the most commonly mentioned symptom of TMJ is pain while chewing, talking or yawning, other symptoms include:
- A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
- Swelling on the side of the face
- Morning headaches and daytime tension headaches
- The feeling of an earache, but no sign of infection
- Sensitive teeth, but no sign of dental problems
- The feeling of a stiff or locked jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
TMJ Therapy for Relief
At your regularly scheduled dental checkups, Dr. Corbitt always checks for sign of TMJ. If found, then she will talk to you about a plan to help relieve the painful symptoms you’re having. One of the most common and successful treatments simply requires that you wear a custom fitted oral appliance at night. Wearing this appliance helps to correct your bite—and avoid the effects of any teeth grinding and clenching, too—so that your bite’s natural alignment is restored. This, combined with techniques to help you manage stress, can ease TMJ’s painful symptoms.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you would like to learn more about how TMJ therapy with Dr. Corbitt in Ft. Worth, TX, can relieve your painful symptoms, then call our office today. We also conveniently serves patients in Arlington, Richland Hills, Forest Hill and Haltom City and throughout the DFW Metroplex.
If you wish that you could have a smile that’s as beautiful as a movie star’s, then you don’t need to wish any longer. You and 
Are you ever jolted out of your sleep by someone shouting the words, “Stop snoring”? Well, if it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans hear these words every night. Snoring is more than an alarm for you and an annoyance for your bed partner. It can be a sign of a more serious condition called 
During childhood, there are some ailments that are simply unavoidable—runny noses, coughs, upset tummies and the like. There is one ailment, however, that is completely avoidable. With good oral hygiene at home and regular visits to the dentist, your child does not need to have cavities. And did you know that dental cavities are among the most common childhood ailments? 
Does your smile have just a little something you’d like to fix? You know—like a small chip, a somewhat oddly shaped tooth or an uneven space between teeth. If the answer is yes, then 
For some predictions, you don’t need a crystal ball: Take care of your teeth today and your teeth are far less likely to give you trouble tomorrow. Perhaps that’s why the American Dental Association recommends everyone visit the dentist at least twice yearly for a regular exam and teeth cleaning. If the time has come for your 
A smile isn’t only a window into your mood and personality, it’s also a very telling sign of your overall health. Studies have shown that strong and healthy teeth are directly linked to good general health. After all, you use your teeth to eat nutritious foods. So, if one of those teeth becomes compromised due to decay or injury, you can’t afford not to care for it. In some cases, that care requires a 
Snoring is undeniably a nuisance that can lead to rifts between partners and roommates. While loud snoring has been known to cause problems for millions of men and women across the country, these common nighttime noises may signal an even bigger issue. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that is typically characterized by excessive snoring, and its health implications certainly warrant closer inspection than many realize. At 
A bright, flawless smile is undeniably an attractive feature in men and women of all ages, but not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy naturally white teeth. At 
When the majority of people think of gum disease, the first thing that comes to mind is typically along the lines of bleeding gums, sensitivity, and maybe even tooth loss. While it is true that these are symptoms and complications commonly associated with gum disease, the dangers of this condition actually extend much further. At