If you have TMJ disorder, it pays to see a TMJ specialist. While many dentists provide TMJ treatment these days, a TMJ specialist is more qualified to deal with the complexities of this painful condition. Below, we answer what is a TMJ specialist and how they can help you find relief from your chronic pain.
How to Find a True TMJ Specialist
Unfortunately, treating TMJ disorders is not one of the recognized specialties of the American Dental Association. This means that any dentist can call themselves a TMJ specialist. Many dentists that offer TMJ treatment only offer one solution: splints that are worn at night to prevent teeth grinding. While these can be effective for some patients, there are a number of causes of TMJ pain, and these splints only address one of them. It’s easy to see why so many patients go from one dentist to the next seeking relief and not finding it.
So how do you make sure the dentist you’re seeing is a true specialist in TMJ treatment? You’ll have to dig into their credentials. An expert in TMJ disorders will share their training, education, and awards on their website. If you don’t see anything on a dentist’s website that gives insight into the qualifications they claim for treating TMJ disorder, move on to another provider.
Dr. Becky Coats is the real deal when it comes to TMJ disorder. With thousands of hours of continuing education and a passion for helping patients overcome chronic pain, Dr. Coats has earned the following honors:
- Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain
- LVI Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute for Neuromuscular and Advanced Dental Studies
- Fellowship award in the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
- Mastership award in the Academy of General Dentistry
What TMJ Specialists Do
When you see a TMJ specialist like Dr. Coats, you’ll benefit from a more holistic approach to TMJ disorder. This only makes sense, given how dysfunction in the temporomandibular joints causes symptoms throughout the body.
The first step is to determine the source of your TMJ dysfunction. Were you injured? Do you have bruxism? Is arthritis causing the joints to degenerate? Only by diagnosing the root cause of your pain can we treat it. Treatment usually involves a combination of methods, with the goals of relieving your immediate pain so you can live more comfortably and resolving the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder.
There’s also one more thing that TMJ specialists do that you might not find anywhere else: we understand. If you’ve gone from one doctor to another trying to find a solution for your pain, if you’ve felt unheard, if you’ve wanted to give up, we’re here to support you. We know that you can live pain-free and feel like yourself again.
Schedule an Appointment With Dallas TMJ Specialist Dr. Becky Coats
If you suspect that you have TMJ disorder, or you’ve been diagnosed and cannot find an effective treatment option, TMJ Plus Wellness Center can help. Contact us today at 817-481-6888 to schedule a consultation.