Experiencing Jaw Pain: Could it be TMJ?

When patients are experincing facial or jaw pain, a jaw specialist like Dr. Wolford is best at evaluating you for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The jaw must be capable of movement necessary for chewing, speaking, and even breathing.

Understandably, the jaw has complex structures that facilitate all of this movement. Indeed, the jaw is composed of many components, including bones and muscles, and if even one of those parts is out of whack, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can develop. Indeed, the jaw is composed of many components, including bones and muscles, and if even one of those parts is out of whack, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can develop.

TMJ & Jaw Pain

Many patients will show some signs of a TMJ disorder, most often jaw or facial pain, as well as popping and clicking sounds coming from the jaw or problems with jaw locking. TMJ can even result in headaches and earaches. If you have any of these symptoms, and they continue to persist, you may need to consult with a TMJ specialist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

The TMJ specialist will thoroughly examine your jaw and take x-rays to determine what is causing your jaw pain. Based on the examination results, the TMJ specialist will develop a treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.

Sometimes the recommended course of action involves non-invasive treatments, such as self-massage and pain management with over-the-counter medications. Stress can exacerbate TMJ-related & jaw pain, so stress management techniques like meditation may also be effective in reducing TMJ symptoms.

For some patients, especially those with congenital or developmental jaw abnormalities, surgical intervention may be warranted to address the TMJ disorder. This may involve correcting a malocclusion that occurred due to the growth patterns in the jaw. Patients may also need a treatment that focuses on stabilizing the disk in the jaw, if that is determined to be the source of pain.

Patients with significantly advanced TMJ disorders may need to pursue a total joint replacement if other treatments are ineffective.

Consulting with an experienced specialist will be your first step in determining whether a TMJ disorder causes your jaw pain, and after you have a diagnosis, the specialist can develop a plan to treat the issue effectively. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Larry Wolford’s office using our online contact form or call 214-828-9115.

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Get To Know Dr. Larry M. Wolford, DMD

Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral Maxillofacial Jaw Surgeon | Larry M. Wolford, DMD
Dr. Larry M. Wolford
The Leading Maxillofacial Revision Surgeon in the World

Dr. Larry M. Wolford, known as a caring and compassionate doctor, surgeon, researcher, lecturer, inventor, is renowned globally as a leading innovator in TMJ (jaw joint) surgery, orthognathic “corrective jaw” surgery, and maxillofacial revision surgery. He has completed many thousands of successful surgeries and is the most recognized, awarded, and referred Maxillofacial surgeon in the World.

Dr. Wolford’s patients travel to Dallas, Tx from all over the world. He has received recognition from his esteemed surgeon colleagues in the form of numerous awards, honors, Who’s Who in the World, and voted one of the leading Maxillofacial Surgeons in the world. Dr. Wolford has tirelessly shared his knowledge, surgical inventions, and expertise with other surgeons having trained hundreds of other surgeons through various fellowships at Baylor and Texas A&M.

Dr. Wolford is the recognized expert in his field as seen on numerous media outlets and by his long list of Google 5 Star reviews. Other oral surgeons, dentists, maxillofacial surgeons regularly refer their most difficult patients to Dr. Wolford because of his superior knowledge, capabilities, and life-changing results.

Contact Dr. Wolford’s Staff for a Free Initial Telephone Consultation.

Office Location:

Larry M. Wolford, DMD

Baylor University Medical Center, Worth Street Tower 3409 Worth Street, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75246

Experience Matters

Dr. Larry Wolford / Web Decoration
Dr. Larry Wolford has over 40 years of complex surgical experience

Dr. Larry Wolford has over 40 years of complex surgical experience

65% of his practice are patients referred from all over the USA and other countries

65% of his practice are patients referred from all over the USA and other countries

Developed many innovative procedures that are the current jaw surgical techniques

Developed many innovative procedures that are the current jaw surgical techniques

Listens to the patient and answers questions with care and compassionate

Listens to the patient and answers questions with care and compassionate