CCSA
Charles County
Surgical Arts

TMJ Disorder Treatment in Charles County, MD

Understanding TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull. Disorders occur when this joint and surrounding muscles become inflamed, damaged, or misaligned, causing pain and dysfunction. At Charles County Surgical Arts in White Plains, MD, Dr. Ryan Look and Dr. John McElveen specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders to help patients across Southern Maryland find relief.

Common Symptoms

  • Jaw Pain:   Persistent pain when chewing or speaking
  • Limited Movement:   Difficulty opening your mouth or jaw locking
  • Facial Pain:   Discomfort in face, neck, or shoulders
  • Headaches:   Frequent temple area headaches

Common Causes

  • Injury or Grinding:   Jaw trauma or chronic teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Arthritis:   Joint degeneration from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Disc Problems:   Deterioration or displacement of the cushioning disc
  • Bite Misalignment:   Misaligned teeth straining the joint

Treatment Options

At Charles County Surgical Arts, we offer a range of treatments from conservative to surgical approaches:

  • Lifestyle & Therapy:   Soft diet, physical therapy, stress management
  • Medications & Appliances:   Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, custom night guards
  • Injections:   Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
  • Surgical Procedures:   Arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, or joint repair for severe cases

Self-Care Tips

  • Avoid hard, chewy foods and practice relaxation techniques
  • Apply ice or heat to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Maintain good posture to reduce jaw strain