TMJ disorder, characterized by pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often affects people’s lives in insidious ways. At Kelley Mingus, we believe in holistic dentistry as a robust approach to treating TMJ. This blog will shed light on how we incorporate holistic dental practices while treating TMJ.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that affects the jaw joint and muscles. Key symptoms include:
- Pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles
- Restricted jaw movement
- Sufferers may experience occasional to severe discomfort, affecting their daily routine.
It is crucial to note that TMJ can be caused by different factors such as stress, teeth grinding, jaw joint injury, arthritis, or a potential misalignment of the jaw. Dr. Kelley Mingus and the expert team at our Bend, Oregon clinic aid sufferers in alleviating the symptoms and improving the overall jaw function.
Holistic Dentistry: A Comprehensive Approach
Holistic dentistry, or integrative dentistry, places emphasis on whole body health. It recognizes that oral health and overall body health are intertwined and cannot be compartmentalized.
A patient’s oral health is a part of their general bodily health and every treatment plan must reflect this reality at Kelley Mingus. For instance, when we treat patients with TMJ disorder, we look:
- At their overall health
- The health of their oral cavity
- Their dietary habits
- Lifestyle factors
- Their physiology and biochemistry.
This whole body approach allows us to better understand the root cause of the TMJ disorder and strategize an individualized treatment protocol.
The Role of Holistic Dentistry in TMJ Treatment at Kelley Mingus
Accurate Diagnosis
The first step in treating TMJ disorder at Kelley Mingus is a comprehensive diagnosis. Dr. Kelley Mingus and his team examine various factors including digital x-rays, jaw tracking, muscle examinations, and bite analysis. This is to identify the root cause of the disorder and devise a suitable treatment plan.
Targeted TMJ Therapy
Using advanced TMJ therapy techniques, Dr. Kelley Mingus aims to provide lasting relief to patients suffering from this painful disorder. The therapy involves:
- Corrective measures for jaw misalignment
- Treatment for teeth grinding
- Techniques to manage stress that can aggravate TMJ symptoms
- Treatment for underlying conditions like arthritis.
Patient Education
At Kelley Mingus, we believe in empowering our patients with information. Patients are educated about good oral habits, dietary changes, and practices to maintain oral health. This aligns with our holistic dentistry approach.
Dental Restoration
A case in point is the story of 63-year-old Janet who, despite dealing with a difficult diagnosis of cancer, showed significant improvement in her TMJ symptoms after undergoing dental restoration therapy with Dr. Kelley Mingus. Today, she sleeps better and proudly shows off her rebuilt smile, free of pain and discomfort—a testament to the effectiveness of our holistic approach.
Lasting Relief
Our clinic offers solutions that focus on lasting relief. We go beyond symptomatic management and strive to resolve underlying issues. This results in not only relief from pain and discomfort but also an improvement in overall oral and, by extension, general health—an overarching goal of holistic dentistry.
End the cycle of persistent TMJ discomfort by embracing holistic dentistry today. Seek professional evaluation and treatment from Dr. Kelley Mingus and his dedicated team in Bend, Oregon. The clinic is committed to improving patients’ lives by providing comprehensive and targeted TMJ treatments.