Heal Naturally. Restore Function. Reclaim Your Comfort.
Are you tired of the persistent jaw pain, clicking, and headaches caused by TMJ disorders? At Desert Hills Dental Care, we offer a comprehensive approach that goes beyond just managing symptoms. We combine state-of-the-art regenerative treatments with proven therapeutic devices to help your body heal and restore proper jaw function. Our integrated therapies, including Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) and custom day and night splints, provide a path to lasting
relief.
A Dual-Action Approach to TMJ Treatment
We believe in treating the root cause of TMJ dysfunction, not just masking the pain. Our unique protocol combines two powerful therapies that work together to reduce inflammation, protect your joint, and promote natural healing.
1. Regenerative PRF Therapy: Healing from Within
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy harnesses your body’s own natural healing power. This advanced treatment uses a concentration of growth factors from your own blood to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery. While not every patient needs PRF to experience results, Dr. Schumacher carefully reviews each patient’s symptoms and history to determine who will experience the highest value and outcome on a case-by-case basis.
How PRF Works for TMJ:
- Simple Blood Draw: The process starts with a quick blood draw, just like a standard lab test.
- Concentrating Healing Factors: We use a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets and fibrin, creating a powerful, 100% natural healing solution.
- Targeted Injections: This PRF solution is precisely injected into your temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles. This delivers a potent dose of healing agents directly to the source of your pain and dysfunction.
- Zero Downtime: The procedure is minimally invasive, requires no medication, and allows you to return to your day immediately.
Benefits of PRF Therapy:
- Naturally reduces joint pain and inflammation.
- Stimulates the regeneration of damaged cartilage and tissues.
- Accelerates your body’s healing process for faster relief.
- Offers a safe and effective alternative to steroid injections.
2. Advanced Splint Therapy: Support and Protection, Day and Night
While PRF therapy works to heal the joint internally, splint therapy provides essential external support and alignment. Think of it like a set of crutches for your jaw, allowing it to rest and recover in the correct position, reducing pressure and inflammation so the body can heal naturally. We design custom splints tailored to your specific needs for both daytime and nighttime use.
- Daytime Splint: A discreet oral appliance designed to be worn during the day. It helps decompress the jaw joint, reduce muscle tension from clenching, and guide your jaw into a more stable and comfortable position. This allows you to go about your day with less pain and strain. The amount of time a patient needs to wear a daytime splint and its use case are highly dependent on patient symptoms and needs.
- Nighttime Splint (Night Guard): A durable appliance worn while you sleep. It protects your teeth from the powerful forces of grinding (bruxism) and clenching, which are major contributors to TMJ pain, headaches, and tooth wear. It maintains joint stability and allows your muscles to relax throughout the night and is designed to be worn long-term, even after symptoms have been resolved, to avoid future flare-ups.
Unlike crutches, which are a one-size-fits-most, our splints are entirely unique for each patient’s specific symptoms, and no two treatment plans are the same. Dr. Schumacher meticulously tailors each splint to be in harmony with the patient’s unique joint anatomy, aiming for the highest quality outcome possible for each patient.
Benefits of Splint Therapy:
- Provides immediate relief by decompressing the jaw joint.
- Protects teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching.
- Reduces muscle fatigue, headaches, and facial pain.
- Helps retrain your jaw to function in a healthier, more stable position.
The Power of Combination Therapy
When used together, PRF and splint therapy create the ideal environment for healing.
- PRF actively repairs the internal damage and reduces inflammation.
- Splints provide the necessary support, protection, and alignment for that healing to be effective and lasting.
This dual-action approach addresses TMJ disorders from every angle, leading to more comprehensive, sustainable results than any single treatment can offer alone. You don’t just get symptom relief; you get true joint and muscle recovery.
Take the First Step Towards a Pain-Free Life
Stop letting TMJ pain control your life. Discover if our advanced combination therapy is the right solution for you. A thorough consultation is the first step toward understanding your condition and creating a personalized treatment plan for lasting relief.