TMJ Prolotherapy
What Is Prolotherapy?
The Basics
Prolotherapy is a safe, injectable medical therapy that can relieve pain in the joints and muscles of a patient's body. This includes the temporomandibular joints, which is the area where the mandible meets the cranium. Prolotherapy is also called regenerative injection technique.
The History
Prolotherapy was developed by a surgeon in the 1950s to help patients suffering from sore muscles and joints caused by injury or disease. It involves injections of a solution containing dextrose, a natural sugar made from starch. Dextrose is similar to our own body's sugar, which is called glucose.
The Science
The dextrose solution functions as an irritant, which signals your body to send immune system cells and chemicals to the area. This can trigger a healing process that repairs inflamed or damaged muscle or joint tissue. Many orthopedic doctors use prolotherapy to treat patients with lower back or knee pain.
A Quick TMJ Overview
The temporomandibular joints are the important juncture that connects the jawbone to the skull. These joints, as well as connected tendons and muscles, are responsible for moving our jaws in all different directions. Oral functions like chewing, speaking, and even yawning are controlled by these joints.
When injury, stress, dental misalignment, or arthritis cause a patient's TMJs to tighten, swell, or malfunction, it means they are suffering from an oral health issue called TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder.
TMD symptoms include teeth grinding (bruxism), migraines, head and face pain, as well as jaw clicking and locking. TMD also causes painful hypermobility. TMJ hypermobility means that jaw joint movement is extended beyond the normal range of motion.
TMJ Discomfort and Prolotherapy
During a consultation at his Orchard Park, NY, dental office, Dr. Dolgos can determine if prolotherapy can help reduce any pain, inflammation, and hypermobility affecting your jaw joint as well as any tendons and muscles crucial to jaw movement.
He can then develop a customized prolotherapy plan just for you in order to reduce or eliminate discomfort caused by oral injury, dental misalignment, or arthritis.
Prolotherapy used to treat a TMJ disorder can potentially regenerate cartilage in areas of the jaw joint where cartilage was damaged.
It is important to know that prolotherapy has NOT been shown to reduce jaw clicking and popping. Dr. Dolgos can combine injections of dextrose with state-of-the-art procedures and holistic therapies to treat other TMD symptoms.
Suffering From Pain in Your Jaw? Request a TMJ Prolotherapy Consultation
Pain and other symptoms caused by a temporomandibular joint disorder can severely affect your quality of life. A consultation with Dr. Dolgos can reveal the root of your TMD issues and help determine the best, most effective treatments. Our goal is to improve your health, oral function, and ability to enjoy life.
Our practice in Orchard Park, NY, is focused on the health of the jaw and its impact on your well-being. It's time to start feeling, eating, and living better thanks to custom TMD treatment.
Contact Dr. Dolgas at his Buffalo, NY, area dental practice for a TMJ prolotherapy consultation. Please use our simple online form or just give us a call.
(716) 675-5858
Our Buffalo, NY, Area Patients Love Their Pain-Free Smiles
Justin Goss
2018
Dr Dolgos is the best Dentist I’ve ever had ! He is patient, kind, so smart and does everything he can to save and repair teeth. I was told I needed so many root canals and extractions by previous dentists but Dr Dolgos did everything he could to fix my teeth in a conservative fashion! He is honest and puts everything he has into helping his patients. His values and compassion for patients is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! His staff is very kind and welcoming and Dr Dolgos is also a very cool guy and he always makes me feel comfortable and makes me laugh! Not many dentist offices do you feel comfortable or laugh much ! It’s always good times at Buffalo TMJ Thanks for your services !!!!!
View on GoogleMartin Snyder
2018
I was referred to Dr. Dolgos due to a severe episode of TMJ that resulted in much jaw pain and an inability to open my mouth. After an extensive evaluation, a treatment plan was developed, which gave me hope my condition would improve in time if i adhered to it. I was given a workbook and a journal to use to help guide me during the course of this experience. It has been 3 months since I first met with Dr. Dolgos. I now can eat normally, and have almost no jaw pain. The caring, compassion, professionalism, skill level, and genuine friendliness of the staff at Buffalo TMJ deserves to be recognized. I highly recommend this practice. Chris S
View on GoogleTMJ Prolotherapy Treatment
A prolotherapy treatment plan can vary depending on a patient's symptoms. Here is a typical therapy schedule that Dr. Dolgos may recommend to his Buffalo-area patients. This treatment plan can help relieve discomfort in the temporomandibular joint.
Injections may be given by Dr. Dolgos in one or both joints. Patients may receive one to three injections around the area of each affected jaw joint.
The prolotherapy procedure is repeated at two-week, six-week, and three-month intervals as needed.
There should not be any swelling in the injection areas, though mild pain may occur. This should fade after a few days. As Dr. Dolgos will explain, the pain may be caused by the activation of the immune system and the reparative healing response.
Any TMJ Prolotherapy Side Effects
I Should Know About?
All medical procedures carry the risk of side effects, even rare, mild, or temporary ones. Dr. Dolgos will use his vast skill and training to minimize the severity of side effects and reduce the risk of complications.
Common TMJ prolotherapy injection side effects include:
Temporary numbness on the side of the face and above the ear
Bruising and redness at the site of injection
Temporary paralysis of the facial nerve on the side of the injection, which can affect the ability to blink. This side effect occurs in one out of every five patients and only lasts about 30 minutes.
TMJ Treatments Dr. Dolgos Can Combine with Prolotherapy
As mentioned, TMJ prolotherapy is typically used by Dr. Dolgos as an additional pain-relief procedure along with his other TMJ rehab treatments. Dr. Dolgos can combine prolotherapy with TMJ treatments such as:
Custom Oral Appliances
Dr. Dolgos can design a custom-fitted mouth guard just for you, and then use precise 3D printing to create the oral appliance in his on-site dental lab. This appliance can stop teeth grinding caused by TMD, relax tight jaw joints and muscles, and shift misaligned jaws back into a healthier position.
BOTOX Injections
Dr. Dolgos is qualified to inject BOTOX® into your jaw muscles to relax them. Targeting the muscles around the jaw joint can greatly reduce harmful TMJ disorder symptoms such as teeth grinding.
Massage Therapy
Dr. Dolgos offers on-site muscle tissue therapy to relax and heal tightened muscles and tendons that are attached to your jaw joints. This can offer much needed relief from jaw pain.
Visit a Practice With Multiple TMD Treatment Options
Finding the right solution for your temporomandibular joint dysfunction takes skilled care, time, and patience.
We offer a variety of TMD treatments, which makes it easier for Dr. Dolgos to find the right solution for you.
His skillset means that he can create a tailored treatment approach, with options like dextrose solutions used in TMJ prolotherapy and oral appliance therapy. He can guide you through each choice during your consultation, keeping you involved in your care.
If you're tired of living with TMJ dysfunction, a life free from daily headaches and tenderness is possible.
Learn more by contacting the team at our Buffalo-area office in Orchard Park or by calling:
(716) 675-5858
Buffalo-Area Patients Feel at Home Here
"Patient...very, very patient...I am appreciative of his honest and thorough review of my situation. Have already recommended him to others and will continue to." Shannon McIntyre
What TMD Looks Like in Action
If you've been dealing with TMJ dysfunction, it can cause your muscles to feel tight or inflamed. Repeated grinding can also cause wear on your temporomandibular joint. While TMD can cause debilitating symptoms, Dr. Dolgos can treat them with safe TMJ prolotherapy dextrose injections and other therapeutic techniques.
Many Patients Across America Deal With Symptoms From Their TMD
Desperately Seeking TMJ Disorder Relief? Join the TMJ Academy
Patients are invited to join Dr. Dolgos' therapeutic and educational TMJ Academy for free. This gives you unlimited access to videos, promotional discounts, and personalized support regarding your TMD symptoms.
"I finally found relief after going to Dr. Dolgos!" Buffalo, NY, Proudly Chooses Our Doctor
Tina Beck
2019
I am so happy to have my daughter and my mom coming here. Dr Dolgos and his staff are supper nice and professional. Its like a family there and your part of it....and the best thing...his treatment plans work!!!!!!
View on GoogleKathleen Bugenhagen
2016
I have suffered form terrible migraines related to TMJ for a long time. I finally found relief after going to Dr. Dolgos! I recently tried Botox injections for my migraines and have had amazing results! If you haveTMJ I would definitely recommend making an appointment!
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