91 W Wieuca Rd NE #4000
Atlanta, GA 30342
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 266-9424
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Do you regularly experience a stiff, painful jaw or migraine headaches? Do you ever unconsciously grind your teeth or have mysterious neck and shoulder pain? If so, this could all stem from a strained or misaligned TMJ, or temporomandibular joints. These are the small hinges on your lower jaw that allows it to move fluidly when you eat, speak, laugh, or yawn. Should the resting position of these joints differ from your teeth, this can cause muscle tension that leads to all the symptoms we mentioned above. Fortunately, Dr. Pate is able to diagnose and treat these kinds of issues (called temporomandibular joint disorders or TMD) right in our Buckhead office. To learn more and start getting pain relief today, contact us to schedule an appointment.
TMD is usually caused by either an injury to the jaw, strain, arthritis or a misalignment between the jaw joints and the teeth. This can make it very painful to move the jaw, and this muscle tension can actually radiate to different parts of the body, which is why TMD is often the source of migraine headaches. If you exhibit any signs of TMD, Dr. Pate will use a few visual tests as well as advanced imagery to determine the root cause of your pain, and from there he can recommend the appropriate treatment.
When the resting position of the jaw joints (how they are positioned when your mouth is closed) conflicts with the occlusion (how the teeth come together), this can cause a person’s bite to become misaligned, putting a tremendous amount of pressure on just a few teeth, creating oral pain. With an equilibration/occlusal adjustment, we can find these high-pressure spots and gently reshape your teeth to help them come together smoothly and without discomfort.
This is a custom-made mouthguard that slightly repositions the jaw in order to alleviate the symptoms of TMD. A patient will only need to wear it to bed, and often, the jaw is eventually able to find this “new” position on its own after just 3 months of therapy. However, some patients need to wear the appliance continually in order to keep seeing results. In addition to realigning the jaw, it can also act as a protective barrier to prevent unconscious teeth grinding, which is a very common side effect of TMD.
Yes! In fact, most cases of TMJ disorder (TMD) can be successfully treated without surgery. At Dentistry in Buckhead, Dr. Pate focuses on noninvasive solutions that help restore balance and comfort to your bite.
Occlusal splints, for example, are mouthguard-like appliances that reposition your jaw and reduce strain on the joints and muscles. For some patients, occlusal adjustments, also known as equilibration, can provide lasting relief by reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth to achieve a more even bite.
These conservative treatments often eliminate pain and improve function without the need for surgical intervention. Our team will always choose the most conservative treatment that will work for you.
In many cases, TMJ disorders can be treated permanently, but this depends on the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and the chosen treatment method. Dr. Pate prefers using occlusal splints and occlusal adjustments/equilibration because they address the root cause of your TMJ issues—not just hide your symptoms.
By correcting bite imbalances and relieving pressure on your jaw joints, these treatments help you heal naturally. When properly maintained and combined with exercises and stress management techniques, many patients experience long-term or even permanent relief from the discomfort of TMJ issues.
The timeline for your TMJ treatment will vary depending on the source of your discomfort and the treatment plan chosen.
Patients using occlusal splints may begin feeling relief within a few days or weeks, though full recovery can take several months of consistent nighttime wear. For occlusal adjustments or equilibration, the process is typically completed in just one or two appointments, followed by short follow-up visits to fine-tune your bite.
After your consultation at our Atlanta dental office, Dr. Pate will provide a personalized timeline along with your treatment plan, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Our team strives to keep you informed because we know how precious your time is.
Not at all! Occlusal adjustments are surprisingly gentle thanks to their minimally invasive design. The process involves small, precise modifications to the biting surfaces of your teeth, so there are no big movements or deep delves with instruments.
Dr. Pate uses advanced technology to ensure pinpoint accuracy. During the procedure, he will remove very thin layers of enamel in targeted areas or use composite resin to build up others. Once complete, you’ll have a balanced bite free from tension or grinding.
If you’re nervous about the treatment, we offer sedation dentistry options to help you relax, and we’ll explain the procedure, so there are never any surprises.