TMJD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a hot topic among ear, nose, and throat specialists and dentists. Many patients are seeking answers to their ear and jaw pain symptoms and looking to specialists like Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend to help them pinpoint the cause of their discomfort.
Dr. Mingus has dedicated his career to helping people with TMJD and has extensive experience diagnosing and treating the condition. He uses a comprehensive team approach and combines his skills in both dentistry and ear, nose, and throat care to create unique treatment plans for each patient.
Understanding TMJD
TMJD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It is one of the most complex joints in the body because of the wide range of motions it allows. Because of this, it is vulnerable to various biomechanical disturbances that can cause pain and dysfunction.
The most common symptoms of TMJD include jaw pain, tinnitus, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, headaches, ear pain, and trouble opening and closing the mouth. Vitamin deficiencies, antibiotic use, muscle tightness, poor posture, and stress are some of the usual triggers of TMJ disorder.
How Is TMJD Diagnosed?
TMJD can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often mimic other common conditions. To accurately make a diagnosis, Dr. Mingus performs a comprehensive examination to evaluate your jaw function, range of motion of the joint, muscle strength or weakness, and medical and dental history.
In addition to the examination, Dr. Mingus may recommend various imaging studies to help him better understand the biomechanistic factors. Computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging are particularly useful when diagnosing TMJD.
TMJD Treatment in Bend
Dr. Mingus offers a variety of treatment methods for TMJD. He may recommend a combination of exercises, nutritional supplements, and stress-management techniques to prevent the recurrence of symptoms for some patients.
For others, he may recommend mouth guards or splint therapy to help improve jaw posture and reduce muscle tightness. Physical therapy and medications may also be effective in some situations.
In rare cases, if the condition is severe, Dr. Mingus may recommend surgery as a last resort. He will explain the potential risks and benefits of any treatment option to his patients and work with them to find the treatment that works best.
Trust an Expert to Relieve Your Ear Pain
If you are experiencing ear or jaw pain, it’s important to trust an expert like Dr. Mingus to help you diagnose and effectively treat your symptoms. His unique training allows him to consider both dental and ear, nose, and throat factors when evaluating patients. Additionally, he offers a variety of treatments and customized care plans to serve his patients.
So don’t suffer in silence. If you think you might be experiencing TMJD symptoms, set up an appointment with Dr. Mingus to get answers and start down the path to relief.
