TMJ in Lincoln, NE
Get jaw and joint pain relief at your local dentist, Star City Dental.
- Experienced TMJ dentists in Lincoln, NE. Skilled in diagnosing and treating jaw disorders.
- No insurance, no problem. Flexible payment optionsThis link leads to Financing with Cherry page available.
- Stop teeth grinding & clenching with customized night guards made in our office.
Struggling With TMJ Symptoms That Just Won’t Go Away?
Star City Dental offers effective TMJ therapy in Lincoln, NE.
Do you feel constant jaw pain that affects your mood, sleep, or ability to enjoy your day? You’re not alone—and the issue may be due to TMJ disorder.
Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects your lower jaw to the skull. It lets you chew, speak, and yawn. But when the jaw muscles or jaw joint aren’t working in harmony, it can lead to TMD, or TMJ disorder.
This discomfort can come from teeth grinding, a misaligned bite, injury, stress, or even arthritis. If left untreated, the pain often worsens and spreads to your neck, ears, or shoulders.
Common symptoms of TMJ include:
At Star City DentalThis link leads to Home page, we offer proven TMJ disorder treatment options—like customized occlusal splints, physical therapy, and occlusal adjustment—to help you get back to feeling your best.
Advantages of TMJ Disorder Treatment
Here are just a few reasons why our dental patients appreciate our TMJ treatment.
Relief From Chronic Pain
You don’t have to live with constant jaw pain, headaches, or muscle aches. TMJ therapy offers real relief from everyday discomfort that’s often triggered by jaw strain, bruxism, or poor oral health.
Improved Sleep and Breathing
Many patients with TMJ also struggle with sleep apnea or nighttime teeth grinding. Treatment can promote a proper resting position for your jaw, helping you breathe easier and rest more peacefully.
Protects Your Teeth and Bite
When your bite is off, it can unevenly wear down certain teeth. A customized occlusal splint or occlusal adjustment helps prevent long-term damage and keeps your teeth and gums healthyThis link leads to a blog post about gum health.
Restores Comfort and Function
Whether it’s chewing, talking, or simply yawning, TMJ disorder can make everyday actions painful. TMJ therapy helps restore jaw mobility so you can go back to eating and speaking without fear of pain.
Understanding TMJ and TMD
Your temporomandibular joint—or TMJ—is one of the most used joints in your body. It connects the lower jaw to your skull and allows you to speak, eat, and express emotion.
A TMJ disorder, also called TMD, occurs when this joint or the surrounding jaw muscles are strained, misaligned, or inflamed. This leads to a variety of symptoms like facial pain, jaw stiffness, clicking noises, or even headaches.
The good news? With the right care, TMJ disorder treatment can provide relief and prevent the condition from getting worse.
How TMJ Disorder Treatment Works
Treating TMJ disorder with Star City Dental starts with a diagnosis.
After an initial consultation at Star City Dental in Lincoln, NE, we’ll examine your jaw and explore different TMJ treatments. Treatment starts with the easiest option first.
- Step 1
We diagnose TMJ disorder by examining the jaw, which includes feeling and listening to the jaw when opened and closed. We also check the jaw’s range of motion and gently press around the jaw to locate areas of discomfort. Additionally, we take an X-ray of the temporomandibular joint and discuss your medical history.
- Step 2
After an exam, the dentist may recommend simple remedies to try at home, such as eating softer food, practicing relaxation or meditation to loosen muscles, special exercises to strengthen the jaw, and applying heating packs.
Treatment may be advised, such as medication to relax muscles or a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding and clenching. In severe cases, the bite may need to be adjusted with orthodontic treatment or surgery.
- Step 3
We prescribe the treatment for your TMJ disorder and create a custom nightguard if needed. A custom-made nightguard called an orthotic appliance prevents grinding and clenching. Follow your treatment plan for your nightguard, and we’ll record your progress.
We’ll review treatment, and if it doesn’t help with the TMJ pain, we’ll move to the next phase of TMJ treatment, correcting the bite.
This may include orthodontics, crowns, bridges, and in serious cases, surgery for the joint or alignment itself.
TMJ Treatment That Puts Your Comfort First
At Star City Dental, your comfort is our priority. Dr. LongThis link leads to Dr. Long’s page and Dr. AllenThis link leads to Dr. Allen’s page use advanced tools like digital imaging and laser technology to diagnose TMD, identify a misaligned bite, and deliver treatment options that work with your lifestyle.
Whether it’s a customized occlusal splint, relaxation techniques, or physical therapy, we tailor care for every patient.
From our flexible payment plansThis link leads to Patient Resources page to our calming environment, every detail is designed to make your journey to relief simple, supportive, and stress-free.
FAQ About TMJ
- What is the main cause of TMJ?
There are several causes of TMJ disorder, including teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, congenital growth, stress, mouth injury, and arthritis.
The cause of TMJ disorder can include physical and emotional stress. Daily stress can lead to jaw clenching, which causes pressure on the jaw and its muscles and ligaments.
TMJ disorder can cause jaw pain, neck pain, earaches, headaches, inability to open the mouth fully, and a popping jaw.
- Does TMJ go away?
With TMJ treatment at Lincoln, NE we can find the best way to ease your jaw pain.
- How long does it take for TMJ to go away?
TMJ flare-ups can last for several hours to days, but there are ways to prevent flare-ups at home.
Contact us to find the best treatment to control your TMJ disorder and, in turn, the TMJ flare-ups.
- What happens if TMJ is left untreated?
TMJ disorder is not life-threatening, but can turn into a debilitating condition if left untreated. TMJ pain and discomfort can become chronic and even cause anxiety and depression.
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is one of the leading reasons for chronic jaw and facial pain. Don’t let TMJ disorder slow you down. Please schedule a consultation with our dentist today.
- What can a dentist do for TMJ?
Your dentist can help diagnose and treat your TMJ disorder by creating a custom treatment plan starting with the easiest and least invasive options.
If your TMJ disorder is caused by jaw clenching or teeth grinding, then your dentist can make a custom nightguard to prevent this.
- How do I know if I have TMJ?
You may have TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) if you experience jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, or difficulty chewing.
Some patients also notice earaches, facial tenderness, or jaw locking. At Star City Dental, we provide thorough evaluations to determine if your symptoms are related to TMJ and create a personalized treatment plan.
- Can a night guard help with TMJ?
Yes, a custom night guard for TMJ can significantly reduce discomfort. Nightguards help by preventing teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism), which are common contributors to jaw pain and tension.
By relieving pressure on the jaw joint, many patients notice improved comfort and fewer TMJ symptoms. At Star City Dental, we design custom-fitted nightguards to support long-term TMJ relief.
- Is TMJ treatment covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for TMJ treatment varies depending on your plan. Some policies may cover diagnostic appointments, oral appliances like nightguards, or certain therapies, while others may not. Our team at Star City Dental will review your insurance benefits, explain your options, and help you maximize coverage for TMJ care.
Schedule Your Visit
