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TMJ Treatment in Crossville, TN

At Hooie Dental, we provide advanced TMJ therapy to address jaw pain, tension headaches, and bite issues that affect your daily comfort.

Our precision-focused diagnostic approach uses Cone Beam CT imaging and an extensive oral and extraoral examination to identify the root causes of your symptoms.

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Find Long-Term Relief for Jaw Pain and Tension

We offer multiple non-surgical solutions including custom occlusal splints, therapeutic Botox injections, trigger point therapy, and orthodontic treatments—all tailored to your specific needs.

Trusted throughout Cumberland County and surrounding areas, our TMJ treatments focus on reducing muscle strain, improving jaw function, and preventing long-term joint damage.

Experience the difference our personalized approach can make in relieving your TMJ discomfort.

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What Is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder affects the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull, causes pain, clicking, and limited movement, and can lead to chronic tension headaches and bite misalignment.

Common symptoms include:

  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth
  • Difficulty fully opening your mouth
  • Facial tension and fatigue
  • Ear pain or ringing
  • Recurring headaches, especially in the morning

These symptoms can be triggered by teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, arthritis, injury, stress, or misaligned bite. While TMJ disorder often cannot be completely cured, it can be effectively managed with proper treatment and self-care strategies.

Many patients experience jaw pain from sustained clenching habits, underlying bite misalignment, or past injuries that went untreated.

Our TMJ Treatment Options in Crossville, TN

Occlusal Splints for TMJ Relief

Occlusal splints protect teeth from grinding damage, reposition the jaw into proper alignment, and reduce TMJ-related pain by creating balanced muscle activity.

What you should know about splints:

  • Custom-fitted to your unique bite pattern
  • More precise than generic night guards
  • Can be worn day, night, or both depending on your needs
  • Redistributes forces to prevent muscle fatigue
  • May require periodic adjustments as symptoms improve

Most patients wear their splints nightly for several months. Unlike orthodontic appliances, therapeutic splints aren’t designed to move teeth, though some types may influence jaw position to relieve joint pressure.

Splints are ideal for patients with clenching habits or tension upon waking, as they provide a non-invasive, removable solution that doesn’t require medications.

Therapeutic Botox Injections for TMJ

Botox injections relax overactive jaw muscles, relieve clenching-related pain, and improve function for TMJ patients without affecting normal jaw movement.

Benefits of therapeutic Botox for TMJ:

  • Precisely targets the masseter and temporalis muscles
  • Reduces intensity of muscle contractions causing pain
  • Effects typically last 3-6 months
  • Quick procedure with minimal discomfort
  • Many patients experience progressively longer relief over time

The injections feel similar to a quick pinch and take just minutes to administer. Side effects are minimal and may include temporary soreness at the injection site.

Many Crossville and surrounding area patients see significant relief within 3-7 days of their first Botox session, often reporting it’s the first intervention that’s provided consistent relief from chronic jaw tension.

Trigger Point Injections for Muscle Tension

Trigger point injections target specific muscle knots in the jaw and neck, relieve localized tension that contributes to TMJ pain, and offer fast relief for many patients.

Key features:

  • Contains local anesthetic for immediate pain reduction
  • Results noticeable within minutes to hours
  • Administered with very fine needles
  • Can work alongside other TMJ treatments
  • Excellent for breakthrough pain

Depending on your specific condition, you might need monthly treatments initially, then less frequently as muscle tension patterns improve. These injections work well in combination with splint therapy or orthodontics, creating a comprehensive approach to pain management.

Patients often benefit most from this approach when jaw tension causes recurring headaches, as the trigger point injections can interrupt the pain cycle while other treatments address the underlying cause.

Orthodontic Treatment for TMJ-Related Bite Problems

TMJ-focused orthodontics correct bite alignment issues, reduce joint strain caused by malocclusion, and prevent future damage by establishing proper tooth and jaw relationships.

Treatment options include:

  • Clear aligners like SureSmile
  • Traditional orthodontics when necessary
  • Short-term focused treatment for specific TMJ issues

The timeline for TMJ-focused orthodontics typically ranges from 6 to 24 months depending on complexity, with many patients experiencing symptom improvement even before treatment completion.

Patients often choose clear aligners as a discreet, long-term solution for TMJ correction, particularly those who want to address both functional issues and cosmetic concerns simultaneously.

Collaborative TMJ Care with Other Providers

Collaborative TMJ care involves coordinating with other healthcare specialists to create in-depth, multidisciplinary treatment plans.

Our collaborative approach may include:

  • Referrals to physical therapists specializing in jaw rehabilitation
  • Coordination with pain management physicians
  • Stress management strategies that complement dental interventions

Our dental team serves as the coordinator for your care, maintaining communication with other providers to ensure consistent treatment goals and approach. We regularly refer Clarkrange patients to trusted specialists for physical therapy or additional imaging when needed.

Advanced TMJ Diagnosis with Digital Imaging

Our technology evaluates joint structures with exceptional detail, analyzes bite forces through computerized assessment, and guides personalized treatment planning based on objective findings rather than trial and error.

Modern diagnostic tools include:

  • Vatech Cone Beam CT for detailed 3D imaging of jaw joints
  • Extensive Oral and Extraoral Examination
  • Computerized assessment of jaw movement patterns

This technology offers significantly more accurate diagnosis than traditional methods, capturing dynamic movements rather than static positions. We use Vatech CBCT and digital bite analysis to guide precise TMJ therapy for our Crossville patients, ensuring that treatments address the root causes of your symptoms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – TMJ Treatment in Crossville, TN

Common signs include jaw clicking or popping when opening or closing your mouth, recurring headaches (especially in the morning), difficulty or pain when fully opening your mouth, and evidence of teeth grinding or clenching.

You may also experience ear pain, ringing in the ears, or neck tension without clear cause.

If you have these symptoms, a thorough TMJ evaluation can determine if TMJ disorder is the source.

Yes, TMJ dysfunction commonly refers pain to surrounding areas including the ears, temples, and neck, and is a frequent trigger for tension headaches.

The close proximity of TMJ-related muscles and nerves to these areas means that tension in the jaw can directly affect these regions.

Many patients are surprised to discover their chronic ear pain or headaches improve significantly with appropriate TMJ treatment.

Surgery is rarely needed for TMJ disorders.

The vast majority of patients improve with conservative, non-invasive therapies like splints, Botox, physical therapy, and bite correction.

We always begin with the least invasive approaches, progressing to more advanced treatments only if necessary.

Surgical interventions are typically considered only after non-surgical approaches have been thoroughly explored.

The timeline for relief varies depending on the treatment and severity of your condition. Some patients experience significant improvement within days of receiving Botox or trigger point injections.

Splint therapy typically produces noticeable improvements within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. Orthodontic approaches may take several months to create meaningful changes.

Most patients with moderate TMJ issues experience substantial relief within 1-3 months of beginning a treatment plan.

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Ready to Join the Hooie Dental Family?

Experience the difference of personalized dental care that treats you like family. Call our Crossville office today to schedule your new patient consultation.

Our warm, homey office environment and caring team look forward to welcoming you.

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New Visits: (931) 416-3910
Return Visits: (931) 456-1950
Address
788 S. Main St.
Crossville, TN 38555 Get Directions
Hours
Mon 8am - 4:30pm
Tues 8am - 4:30pm
Wed 8am - 1pm
Thurs 8am - 4:30pm
Fri Closed

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New Visits (931) 416-3910
Return Visits (931) 456-1950