TMJ Relief
Dr. Hopkin's Painless Approach For Treating TMD Without Surgery
While many people may experience jaw pain at some point, you may not require treatment until your symptoms become chronic or affect your daily life. If you are diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Hopkin can help you explore treatment options.
Dr. Hopkin prefers conservative, non-invasive, and nonsurgical treatment options to treat TMD; however, TMJ surgery like open joint repair may be recommended when other nonsurgical methods have proven to be ineffective.
What Exactly Is the TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. When this jaw joint fails to function properly, it can cause joint and jaw muscle pain. TMJ pain can be the result of many things, such as stress, sleep bruxism, inflammation, and unconscious grinding or clenching of the teeth. In some cases, TMD is a result of arthritis or trauma.
Your TMJs act like sliding hinges that allow you to open and close your mouth. When they aren't functioning correctly, you may feel pain and a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Preserve Your Oral Health Contact Our Salt Lake City Practice Today
TMJ disorders can disrupt your quality of life with constant headaches and jaw pain. If left untreated, TMD can cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums.
Dr. Hopkin will do everything he can to alleviate your TMD symptoms without surgery. By contacting our Salt Lake City practice when you experience early TMD systems, our team can prevent more serious health issues from forming.
Don't put your dental or overall health at risk. Contact our office online or call:
(801) 277-3942
Why Salt Lake City Chooses Dr. Hopkin
malishya jensen
2020
Honestly this place was amazing! I went in for my wisdom teeth. They got me in, made sure I fully understood everything. Scheduled the appointment, put me out and the procedure only took 15 minutes. They helped me out to my car with my fiancé. Little to no pain the following days. No bruising. And very very minor swelling you couldn't even tell. Very thankful I chose Hopkin Oral Surgery.
View On Google
Conrad Harting
June, 2021
Dr. Hopkin and his staff were very professional. The office was immaculate as well. They clearly explained my options with the procedure and what the process would entail. They also gave me proper expectations regarding insurance coverage. I’m very happy with the entire visit and would definitely recommend Dr. Hopkin to anyone.
View On GoogleHow to Know What Symptoms Mean
/
It is important to note that experiencing these TMJ symptoms does not necessarily indicate TMJ disorder. Dr. Hopkin has extensive experience evaluating the temporomandibular joint. At an in-person consultation, he can determine whether your symptoms indicate a temporomandibular disorder or something else entirely. For example, younger patients in their late teens or early 20s may have jaw pain related to the eruption of wisdom teeth.
What Causes TMD?
Numerous contributing factors are believed to cause temporomandibular disorders. By identifying your symptoms and the cause of your TMJ disorders, Dr. Hopkin can determine the most effective treatment options for you. Some of the causes of temporomandibular joint disorder are:
Bruxism
Bruxism happens when you consistently clench or grind your teeth. Often, patients are unaware that they are constantly putting extra pressure on their teeth. Bruxism is believed to be a major contributing factor to degenerative joint damage, leading to consistent pain in the temporomandibular joint. Wearing a nightguard while you sleep can help reduce TMJ damage from bruxism.
Parafunctional Reactions
Intense negative emotions like stress and anxiety can cause your jaw muscles to tighten reflexively. The constant tightening of your jaw muscles can squeeze your jaw joints out of alignment, which can cause pain in your temporomandibular joint. This can lead to an increase in muscle tension as other jaw muscles are recruited to stabilize the joint.
Comprised Airways
Like bruxism and chronic stress or anxiety, compromised airways can cause teeth clenching and grinding. A growing body of evidence suggests that bruxism and sleep apnea are closely connected. If you are suffering from compromised airways, Dr. Hopkin can take a comprehensive approach to your treatment and address both bruxism and sleep apnea with a custom oral appliance.
Accidents or Trauma
Injuries affecting your jaw joints, head, neck, or any other associated muscles can cause dysfunctional TMJs and lead to temporomandibular disorders. Physical incidents like car accidents and sports injuries can cause trauma that makes a significant impact on the alignment of the spine and joints. Patients often experience TMD after whiplash-like injuries.
Structural Anomalies
People may not realize that structural anomalies in their bodies can be leading factors for TMJ dysfunction. Abnormalities like displaced discs, missing teeth, an uneven bite, and size discrepancies between the upper and lower jaw can disrupt the normal functions of the jaw. To compensate, your body may develop unfavorable adaptive changes that contribute to painful TMJ dysfunction.
Other factors like chronic inflammatory disease, infection, neurological damage, and chronic pain can also cause TMD. Dr. Hopkin will diagnose your symptoms during your visit to our Salt Lake City practice and customize a treatment plan that can dramatically reduce your symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Contact Hopkin Oral Surgery Stellar Service for Salt Lake City
TMD can be caused by a variety of factors, such as arthritis, injuries, misaligned bites, bruxism, and more. Dr. Hopkin from Hopkin Oral Surgery can identify the root of your condition and treat it accordingly. If you are suffering from TMJ pain, he can employ a variety of nonsurgical treatment methods so you can live comfortably once again. If other methods don't work to alleviate the symptoms of your TMD, he can perform surgery to improve your quality of life.
To alleviate any symptoms you may be feeling in your TMJ and to correct a TMD altogether, call our office or request an appointment at our Salt Lake City practice. Your teeth and jaw will thank you.
(801) 277-3942
Stellar Reviews From Salt Lake City Utah Trusts Us
Tamera DeRushia
2020
I definitely made the right choice. Very respectful and down to earth, I was never rushed or made to feel anything but the most important person in the room. And it wasn't just Dr. Hopkins. The entire staff was this way, 100% of the time. I was having all of my remaining top teeth removed and getting a top denture. The procedure was so fast and comfortable, I chose to be put under anesthesia. Full instructions for after care, full attention to any questions or concerns I may have had. 10/10 recommend Dr. Hopkins and his amazing staff. Thank you all for making this so easy to get finally taken care of. ❤️
View On Google
Micah Weisenberg
2020
A review from a different perspective. I am a general dentist and have had referred many cases to Dr. Hopkin. He is a gifted surgeon who has amazing interpersonal skills. He keeps my patients informed and comfortable throughout the whole process. And when dealing with larger/complex cases, having good communication between the specialist, dentist, and patient is essential to achieving the desired outcomes. After seeing his work for the past two years, if my family or I needed to see an oral surgeon, we would be going to Dr. Hopkin (and I don't say that about all the dentists and specialists I have worked with).
View On GoogleWhat Sets Dr. Hopkin Apart?
When looking for a doctor to treat your TMJ, you want to choose someone who has enough experience to find an effective solution. Dr. Hopkin is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The experience he has gained throughout his career allows him to treat temporomandibular disorders and skillfully restore temporomandibular joints.
Since founding Hopkin Oral Surgery, he has distinguished his practice from others in the Salt Lake City, UT, area in several ways:
Cutting-Edge Tech
Dr. Hopkin uses state-of-the-art dental technology, such as 3D imaging equipment. These tools are more advanced than traditional X-rays and allow him to create the most comprehensive and individualized treatment plans.
Enjoyable Atmosphere
Dr. Hopkin treats patients like people, not cases. He strives to provide a laid-back atmosphere while maintaining high professional standards. It is important to him that his patients feel comfortable enough to have detailed conversations. During your appointment, you are encouraged to ask questions regarding your TMJs so you completely understand your treatment and Dr. Hopkin understands your goals.
Payment Options
Temporomandibular disorders are generally covered by insurance. Dr. Hopkin leads a highly trained team that can help you understand and navigate your insurance. For any out-of-pocket costs, Dr. Hopkin offers financing through CareCredit® and offers in-house payment plans to help patients afford TMJ treatment.
How Dr. Hopkin Diagnoses TMJ Disorder
To properly diagnose TMD and develop an appropriate treatment plan, Dr. Hopkin will review a series of radiographs and images from a cone beam computerized tomography (CT) scanner. He may also order MRIs.
This advanced imagery technology, which surpasses simple X-rays, will give him a highly detailed three-dimensional view of your jaw joints that would otherwise be impossible. Once he diagnoses the problem, he can recommend the best course of treatment.
TMJ Treatment Options
Dr. Hopkin employs conservative, nonsurgical treatment options as the first line of treatment for TMJ disorder. Many patients see significant reductions in painful symptoms shortly after beginning temporomandibular joint treatment with Dr. Hopkin.
Nonsurgical TMJ Treatments
- Oral appliances
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation
- BOTOX® injections to relax the TMJ muscles
- Corrective dental work or orthodontics for a misaligned bite
- Arthrocentesis to remove fluid and treat arthritis in the joint
At-Home Treatment
There are a number of ways you can alleviate the symptoms of your condition at home. Following a visit to our Salt Lake City location, Dr. Hopkin may make some recommendations, such as:
- Reducing habits like jaw clenching and nail-biting
- Eating soft foods to reduce stress on your teeth and jaw
- Using certain over-the-counter medications
- Gently stretching the jaw muscles
- Applying warm or cool compresses
See What Salt Lake City Has to Say Utah Understands What Dr. Hopkin Offers
Jared Stewart
2019
I've had some tough TMJ problems over the last year. Dr. Hopkins and staff have been awesome to work with. It was important to take the time to understand what the best steps would be for my treatment and Dr. Hopkins never rushed me on anything. His staff were particularly helpful getting problems worked out with my insurance. They spent a lot of time getting things right and making sure I didn't overpay. This made a HUGE difference for me. Thank you!
View On Google
Jennifer Talbot
2016
My experience was awesome. Dr. Hopkin was very attentive, a great listener, he had the best bedside manners, he even threw in a little humor. I was treated for TMJ and love the service I received. I was not scheduled, but he got me in and stayed late to ensure I got the best of treatment. Totally felt pampered!!
View On Google
