Relieve Uncomfortable TMJ Symptoms with a Custom Oral Appliance
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affects nearly 35 million Americans. The temporomandibular joints are situated on either side of the face. Connecting the upper and lower jaws, these joints aid in movements used when eating and speaking. TMJ disorder can cause discomfort including chronic headaches and jaw pain as well as damage to your teeth. At our Phoenix, AZ dental practice, Dr. John Dovgan offers conservative TMJ treatment through oral appliance therapy to alleviate these symptoms and protect your smile.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
There is no single known cause of TMJ disorder. However, there are several risk factors which contribute to the development of the condition. Oftentimes, TMJ issues are a direct result of an uneven bite. When the bite is unbalanced, it can place excessive pressure on the jaw joints. As your jaw muscles try to compensate for the problem, the joints become fatigued.
Living with TMJ disorder can be debilitating but in most cases, a custom oral appliance can provide relief.
TMJ disorder may also be caused by trauma, arthritis, or bruxism (teeth grinding). If not treated in a timely manner, this condition can lead to more serious oral health-related concerns.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of TMJ disorder are vast and varied. Common signs of this condition include:
- Severe jaw pain
- Tooth erosion
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Sore or fatigued facial muscles
- Ringing in the ears
- Bruxism
- Clicking or popping sounds upon opening or closing the jaw
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with Dr. Dovgan right away. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key for long-lasting success.
The Importance of Treating TMJ Disorder
Untreated TMJ disorder can lead to chronic pain and jaw dysfunction. Over time, these symptoms can result in a substantial decrease in your overall quality of life. Early intervention can help you avoid invasive and costly treatments to correct serious side effects of TMJ disorder.
TMJ disorder may also be caused by trauma, arthritis, or bruxism (teeth grinding). If not treated in a timely manner, this condition can lead to more serious oral health-related concerns.
A custom oral appliance can realign your jaw and relieve painful symptoms.
Oral Appliance Therapy
During your initial consultation with Dr. Dovgan, he will assess your bite and evaluate the jaw joints. We may also take scans or x-rays to visualize the underlying structures. TMJ pain typically occurs when there is a discrepancy between the position of the jaw joints and the teeth. Because each patient is unique, Dr. Dovgan will create a personalized treatment plan based on their specific needs.
Oral appliance therapy can address most cases of TMJ disorder. This treatment involves the fabrication of a custom mouth guard, typically worn during sleep. The oral appliance is designed to slip snugly over the teeth for a streamlined, comfortable fit. In addition to separating the upper and lower teeth, the appliance also places the jaws in a more favorable position to alleviate stress and discomfort.
Achieve a More Comfortable Bite
Living with TMJ disorder can be debilitating. If you are experiencing symptoms related to this condition, a custom oral appliance could offer relief and eliminate your discomfort. To learn more about TMJ disorder treatments, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dovgan. Our team of professionals is always available to answer any questions you may have. You can contact us online anytime or call us at (602) 867-1899.
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Family Dentistry, Dental Expert Witness & Standard of Care Expert
Dr. John W. Dovgan
3841 E Thunderbird Rd,
Ste 101
Phoenix, AZ 85032
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Thurs: 7am-4pm
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3841 E Thunderbird Rd,
Ste 101
Phoenix, AZ 85032
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Suzanne Swisher
23:12 01 Mar 20
I was so impressed with every aspect of this office!! The staff is simply delightful and so caring and kind! Dr. Dovgan is also very kind and caring.... I need extensive work done and have been very fearful to go to a dentist. Dr. Dovgan, Sue and Michelle made me feel safe, heard and understood and put me very much at ease. I am so grateful that I found his name on Nextdoor chat about best dentists. He was referred to me by no less than 6 people on that site aloneread more
Elle Bee
20:40 28 Feb 20
Fantastic experience. The staff is incredibly friendly and make great conversation. They were thorough when taking x-rays and checking my teeth, they... also had a camera, and I was able to see what was going on during the exam.I had a cleaning done, and the experience was very good. They use an ultrasonic/water device to clean, as well as the traditional hand tools. I found very little to no discomfort during the process, and look forward to future treatments.I highly recommend this incredibly professional dental office over your average Smile McDentist.read more
Alison Molnar
19:04 24 Feb 20
I had a chipped tooth and Dr Dovgan fixed it right up! Looks completely natural and I feel better about my smile before I even chipped it. The entire... staff is always very friendly and professional!read more
Lisa Nestor
20:16 18 Feb 20
I have been a patient for 15+ years and all of my experiences have been positive. Dr. Dovgan and his staff are professional, caring and focused on... the comfort, health and well-being of their patients. Because of them I am no longer afraid to visit the dentist - they are wonderful 😊read more
dennis strieter
19:02 17 Feb 20
Dr. Dovgan is an excellent dentist who has the right mix of experience and a high standard of patient care for my whole family. We like their entire... staff so much that we continue using him even through insurance changes that required a higher out of pocket. They are really that good.read more
The Perfect Autumn
16:57 08 Oct 19
As a new patient, I recently visited this dental office and left very pleased after my first visit. Both the dentist and his staff were very warm... and welcoming. I hadn't been to a dentist in a few years and this alone was adding to my uneasiness about setting up an appointment for an exam, and then dealing with which dentist to choose on top of it all? (Like many things, putting off a visit to the dentist is never a wise move.) After sorting through many reviews I then settled on Dr. Dovgan's office and was glad I did. Both Dr. Dovgan and his staff had me feeling very at ease in no time. I found this dental location to be equipped with all the latest modern technology, very stylish & clean and not rushed for time...nowadays, a pleasant surprise. (...Also, special praise here to dental hygienist "Sonata" for her gentle approach and also for really taking the time to conduct a thorough exam and cleaning of my teeth & gums. Thanks, Girl!!) Additionally, also nice was the ample, easy access parking and the comparability in pricing to the many other dentists out there. :)Upon leaving I felt I had made the right choice for myself in trusting Dr. Dovgan and his team of professionals with my dental concerns and I learned that even though my end results were not perfect ( -due to my own actions- ), they were better than anticipated and attainable. If you've (too) been playing dental roulette, procrastinating out of fear of the unknown ( -"unknown as in: "what's really going on inside my mouth??" -or- "which unknown dental office should I choose from??"- ) then this dentist and his team may be the place for you to try, as well. I wouldn't hesitate at all in recommending Dr. Dovgan's dental services. Thank you for my positive visit to the dentist!! :)Remove reviewread more
Samantha Henson
17:38 25 Apr 19
I’ve been coming to this office for the last 18 YEARS (since I was 7 years old) and I love Dr. Dovgan! I never understood how anyone could hate... going to the dentist before because I loved going to mine. He’s gentle, charismatic, and extremely knowledgeable in many different aspects of dentistry. The family feeling is great with the staff and they have always been so accommodating to my scheduling needs. I loved his practice so much growing up that I decided to join the dental field myself. I’d highly recommend anyone to come to his office.read more
Julia Sanders
20:30 28 Aug 18
I have always hated going to the dentist, but I've finally found a place that I like going to! The staff is extremely friendly and Dr. Dovgan is... great at what he does. I always have a great experience with my cleanings and today I had a filling done by Dr Dovgan and it was fast and pain free! I would definitely recommend him. Thank you for making me feel at easeread more
Karenlee Thorpe
17:40 01 Jun 17
I have been a patient of Dr. Dovgan for approximately 2-3 years. My experiences have been extremely positive. The staff are very efficient,... friendly, professional, knowledgeable and helpful. Dr. Dovgan is an excellent dentist He has assisted me with difficult dental issues. I have had absolutely no problems with his work. He is friendly, helpful, professional and extremely competent. I would have no hesitation to recommend Dr. Dovgan and his office for any dental needs.read more
Kathleen Garast
19:24 31 May 17
Dr. Dovgan and every member of his staff that I have met represent the perfect blend of a highly professional, efficient and welcoming facility. They... are up to date on the latest procedures, they are willing to take the time to explain what is going to be done and they stand behind the work they do always assuring my complete satisfaction. I've had a range of work done from simple cleaning as well as complex procedures and I have been totally satisfied with the care, the cost and the results. I am happy to do this review because I've had less than positive experiences elsewhere and I hope this review can guide others to a positive experience with Dr. Dovgan and his staff.read more
Robert Barbour
19:09 31 May 17
I have to admit, I am extremely difficult to please. Having work in large inbound call centers and dealing with nothing but complaints...all I can... say about Dr Dovgan and entire staff is I have NO complaints! I only have praise and compliments! EVERYONE there is simply WONDERFUL.read more
