Dr. Donald J. Gass, Jr. | TMJ Disorders Surgery in Chandler, AZ
Chandler, Arizona Oral Surgeon | Dr. Donald J. Gass, Jr., is a specialist in the maxillofacial surgery procedure: tmj disorders in Chandler, AZ. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a "clicking" sound, you'll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.
TMJ Surgery Overview
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For a brief narrated overview of the TMJ surgery process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about TMJ surgery.
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No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Gass can help you have a healthier and more comfortable jaw.
Treatment
There are various treatment options that Dr. Gass can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Dr. Gass will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care joined with professional care.
The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:
- Resting your jaw.
- Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating.
- Eating soft foods.
- Applying ice and heat.
- Exercising your jaw.
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