Living with TMJ pain, jaw tension, headaches, or migraines can affect your comfort every day – but relief may be possible with the right treatment approach. At Aspire Dental Wellness in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Sladjana Bjelac and her team offer advanced TMJ treatment options, including injection therapy and laser therapy, designed to target discomfort and support better quality of life. If you’re ready to stop ignoring the pain and explore a more comfortable path forward, schedule a consultation with Aspire Dental Wellness today.
TMJ disorder is a broad term that covers several medical conditions that involve issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), jaw muscles (chewing muscles), and the surrounding structures. The disorder is characterized by pain in the joint, which often causes trouble when chewing or opening your mouth.
The etiology of temporomandibular joint disorder isn’t exactly clear. It’s suggested that the condition could be caused by arthritis, but trauma to the joint could also be a contributing factor. It doesn’t necessarily need to be major trauma – even repeated teeth grinding or clenching can cause the condition to develop. Considering that the temporomandibular joint contains a cartilage disc, inflammation and damage to the cartilage can also contribute to TMJ disorders.
The dominant symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder is pain in the joint, but it’s important to note that it can spread to the face, neck, shoulders, and head. There’s often tenderness and discomfort in these areas as well. Pain isn’t constant but rather recurrent, and the severity can differ from person to person. Range of motion in the jaw is reduced, and patients often note that opening their mouth and chewing trigger pain sensations. Sometimes, there can be noise present during jaw movements.
What connects migraines and TMJ disorder? The fifth cranial nerve, called the trigeminal nerve, is the reason for recurrent headaches in patients with this disorder. The nerve provides sensations for the large segment of the face, but it also covers the innervation of parts of the brain and intracranial arteries. Thanks to this, pain sensations can spread from the face and cause a migraine, which is a specific type of headache. A migraine can be accompanied by sensitivity to light and touch, nausea, and even vomiting. The symptoms can drastically affect the quality of life for those who suffer from them.
Getting rid of headaches and other pain is the primary goal of TMJ treatments. Since the symptoms are often self-limiting and passing, medical professionals usually recommend simple and effective treatment options. One of the most effective and sought-after methods used today involves precisely targeted therapeutic injections and lasers procedures.
Injection therapy can be a great alternative to more invasive methods for conditions such as TMJ disorders. The treatment is non-surgical, minimally invasive, and typically requires little to no downtime, so many patients can return to their everyday routine shortly after the appointment. With a focused approach, injection therapy may help reduce TMJ-related discomfort, jaw tension, and migraine symptoms. At Aspire Dental Wellness, South Park Charlotte, Dr. Sladjana Bjelac offers injection therapy as part of a personalized TMJ treatment plan designed around each patient’s needs.
At Aspire Dental Wellness, in Charlotte, NC, we only use the best equipment – for TMJ disorder treatment, that’s Fotona Laser. It’s highly efficient in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. The treatment itself is very quick and with no discomfort to the patient. How do lasers fix this condition exactly?
The process of using laser beams in this context is called photobiomodulation. Beams interact with biomolecules on a cellular level and boost the production of ATP, which is a vital substance that serves as a chemical form of energy our cells use to function. As a result, cellular metabolism is increased, and so are repair processes and DNA replication. All of this contributes to the relief of symptoms.
If you decide to give laser therapy or injection therapy a try, your next step should be finding an experienced medical professional who can provide quality treatment. Dr. Sladjana Bjelac is a top-rated Charlotte dentist in South Park. She specializes in advanced laser dentistry and wellness dentistry, offering excellent dentistry services along with her team at Aspire Dental Wellness clinic in South Park. You can count on Dr. Bjelac for outstanding treatment and a pleasant experience.
Dr. Bjelac stands out thanks to her vast knowledge and education in both the US and Europe. She combines the best approaches to dentistry from both continents and delivers unique, customized treatment plans – whether that means laser therapy, injection therapy, or a combination of both tailored to your specific needs. With a holistic approach to every patient and a wellness-like experience, you will surely feel comfortable and relaxed during your visit.
If you’re experiencing TMJ and migraines in Charlotte, NC, don’t hesitate to reach out to Aspire Dental Wellness clinic and Dr. Bjelac to reserve your appointment. We pride ourselves on our dedication to our patients – you will quickly see that. Let us help you get rid of TMJ symptoms and migraines so you can enjoy each day pain-free!
