Clean and nice office; staff and Doctor are friendly, professional, and treat you with dignity. Yesterday I had an urgent need for a root canal and the Doctor and staff went above and beyond to help me. I cannot recommend this Dentist enough. Fernanda, one of the dental assistants was awesome and took great care of me. I didn’t catch her name, but the billing gal was awesome as well. Thank you, Dr. Wan and staff!
Enjoy Comprehensive Treatment for Your Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
A TMJ disorder involves a range of conditions affecting the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and the nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Ignoring this painful condition can lead to unnecessary discomfort in your life. Since one of the common symptoms is teeth grinding, you also run the risk of damaging your teeth, especially if your condition is left untreated. Dr. Steve Wan has extensive training to help relieve and treat craniofacial pain. He will design a personalized treatment plan based on what’s ideal for your TMJ issue.
Here is what you can expect:
- Your initial visit will include a traditional exam, where we do a full exam of your mouth and take digital X-rays.
- Dr. Wan will educate you on the potential causes for your TMJ disorder and your treatment options. He is trained in the Dawson Academy approach, which emphasizes a thorough assessment of oral-facial pain and the identification of TMD. So you can trust his recommendations.
- We’ll move forward with treatment options such as orthotic devices or Botox injections for pain relief. We may also suggest occlusal equilibration, reshaping your teeth to adjust your bite and relieve pressure on your joints. You will have plenty of time to answer questions, so you fully understand what’s involved.
Recognize the Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder
Recognizing the symptoms of this disorder will help you know when to make an appointment. However, when you visit us for regular checkups, Dr. Wan will examine your mouth during each appointment to look for signs of this problem such as teeth wear, chipping, and fractures. That’s the benefit of visiting a dentist who has extensive training in this area!
TMJ disorder can be spotted in a variety of ways:
- Jaw Pain – You may notice dull or aching pain on either side of your jaw. This can be felt around your face, ears, and neck.
- Headaches – Tension headaches are common if you have a TMJ disorder.
- Jaw Clicking or Popping – You may hear audible sounds when you open or close your mouth.
- Limited Jaw Movement – There may be times when it’s hard to open your mouth fully, or you’ll experience a sensation of your jaw locking.
- Tooth Sensitivity – Because a TMJ disorder often comes with teeth grinding, it can lead to dental pain.
If you recognize these symptoms, make sure you take the first step toward seeking help. Our team is ready to get you out of pain, so you can get back to your life!
Call 360-549-9659 if you need TMJ treatment in Tumwater. You can also request an appointment online.