Problems associated with joints at the top of the jaw, which are situated just in front of the ears, fall under the umbrella term TMD. TMD, which is short for Temporomandibular Disorder, defines most of the issues that we have with our jaw joints, many of which can be resolved within our dentistry office. TMJ is a term wrongly used when talking about jaw problems, as TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, and not the disorder itself. While the causes of TMD can be very different, at Summit Dental Care in Seattle, NamThien Vu, DDS can help you find the correct treatment to soothe your TMD related pain.
Treatment for TMD varies for each individual case, as the causes of TMD can be different. One patient's TMD that has been caused by arthritis will not be treated in the same way as a patient who is suffering from TMD caused by anxiety. For this reason, the preliminary appointment will be used to do some visual and physical inspection of the jaw, while asking the patient several questions about their medical history and lifestyle choices. TMD can be caused by medications or other conditions that the patient has that the patient might not realize is affecting their jaw.
Lifestyle choices, such as drinking caffeine and the amount of stress the patient is experiencing from work or home life, can also affect the jaw. Often, TMD is not long-lasting and can be treated by reducing the amount of stress on the jaw. This can be by taking a break from sports or physical activities until symptoms decrease, and by changing the patient's diet to see if that makes a difference. By exchanging foods high in salt and saturated fats, for organic foods and low-sugar alternatives, the patient may find a positive change in their TMD. However, sometimes the TMD cannot be resolved through these treatment plans, and more invasive methods are necessary. This may involve surgery, if the issue is with the joint itself. Our team will only perform surgery when it is needed.
TMD is usually due to the disk, which protects the skull and jaw from grinding against each other, shifting from its usual positioning. This means the jaw and skull move against each other, which can cause swelling, tenderness and pain while talking and eating. Complications such as disk slippage are often a result of a heavy blow or impact to the face. This could happen due to an accident or a sports game. While it may appear at first as just some bruising or swelling, pain after the initial wound could be due to TMD. Cartilage damage is another cause of TMD, as it also causes rubbing. Arthritis can eradicate the cartilage in the joint, as well as prolonged pressure, which can be caused by bruxism (teeth grinding).
Summit Dental Care has multiple treatments available to accommodate your TMD related issues. NamThien Vu, DDS will be able to diagnose what is causing the trouble. To book a consultation appointment for issues with TMD and issues related to TMJ in Seattle, call our office at 206-292-9980 today!
Seattle Dentist
Dr. Vu and the team are like family! They treat my dental needs and make me feel right at home. When I had a dental emergency they cleared out time to make sure I was taken care of. I knocked 2 teeth out in a bike accident and you can’t even tell!! They also make a great point to support the LGBTQ+ community!
Dentist In Seattle
Dr. Vu and his staff are not only professional and well organized, they are also very welcoming and personable. They make you feel instantly comfortable the moment you walk in. They are a modern practice with state of the art technology and open to all clientele. Their work is fantastic and my teeth look and feel great.
Downtown Seattle Dentist
Summit Dental Care: convenient location in downtown Seattle; strong online website and patient portal (e.g., appointments, dental records); reception staff, hygienist, chairside assistants - competent and professional. Most importantly, there is Summit Dental's Dr. Vu, DDS - a very skilled dental professional who seems to genuinely care about the welfare of his patients. A recent dental crisis/emergency was handled without delay; when a tooth is "making its presence known," one doesn't want to hear, "Let me see if we have any openings..."! Dr. Vu replaced my (now retired) dentist of 20+ years - it has been a wise decision to stay with the practice.
Dentist Downtown Seattle
Dr. Vu is great. He and his staff are all friendly and kind, and I’ve consistently had good experiences at his office. He’s always trying to think of ways to improve patient experience- including offering noise canceling headphones for when you get fillings so you can listen to music or a podcast to distract you from the noise of the drill. Brilliant!
Seattle Family Dentistry
I've been a patient here for 6 years now and Dr. Vu and the team continue to exceed my expectations. They do a great job of listening to you and treat you with the utmost respect. I am so happy here that I keep paying extra for an out-of-Network dental plan. My gum health has improved tremendously and I have reclaimed my smile.
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NamThien Vu, DDS • Dentist Seattle • Summit Dental Care
Cosmetic Dentist in Seattle WA offering dental implants, sedation dentistry, dentures, mouthguards, tmj treatment & invisalign. Call today! (206) 292-9980
Summit Dental Care, 720 Olive Way Suite #930, Seattle, WA 98101 • 206-292-9980 • summitdentalcareseattle.com • 8/9/2024 • Page Keywords: dentist Seattle WA •