TMJ (TMD)

Do you have frequent, mysterious headaches? Pain in the neck or upper back? Ringing in your ears? Worn, broken, or cracked teeth? If so, it's possible that these and many other symptoms all have the same cause: TMJ. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, sometimes called TMD, TMJ disorder, or TMJDS. In this condition, a misalignment of the jaw puts stress on muscles in the head and neck, which can put pressure on nerves, pull your upper vertebrae out of alignment, and other effects that can have consequences throughout your body.

Many people with TMJ have seen one or more doctors about their pain and other symptoms, only to receive unsatisfactory treatment. If you are looking for relief from pain that other doctors have not helped you with, a neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Joel Miller may be able to assist you. Please schedule a FREE TMJ consultation today to talk to Dr. Miller about this problem.

What Is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is the joint on either side of your head that connects your jaw to your skull. It is a complex joint, not only in its six types of movement, but also in its interaction with other nearby systems. The trigeminal nerve, which carries signals (including pain signals) between the brain and the face, and virtually all the other 11 cranial nerves pass nearby the joint. In addition, the muscles that operate and support the jaw help keep our head balanced atop the head.

When your teeth don't fit together properly, or if the temporomandibular joint has suffered trauma, the muscles of the jaw have to work extra hard in trying to keep the jaw in its proper position. They often end up fighting against the bones and teeth, which increases wear on your teeth and stresses the muscles. Stressed muscles may be sore, may pinch nearby nerves, or may even affect the alignment of your upper spine. Once the upper spine is out of alignment, your body attempts to restore balance by compensating misalignments down the spinal column, which can pinch nerves anywhere along the way. As a result, the symptoms of TMJ can be felt throughout the body.

TMJ Symptoms

TMJ is often described as "the Great Imposter" because it mimics so many other conditions. TMJ symptoms affect your entire body and may include some or all of the following:

• Intense, frequent headaches or "migraines"
• Pain in the jaw or difficulty when chewing
• Clicking or popping jaw
• Tooth wear, pain, or breakage
• Teeth clenching (bruxism)
• Face pain
• Pain or pressure above, behind, or below the eyes
• Pain in the neck, upper back, or shoulders
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the arms and hands
• Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears)
• Balance problems or vertigo

These symptoms often stem from no discernible cause. Symptoms may be worse in the morning or may worsen over the day.

TMJ Treatment

The first goal of TMJ treatment is to alleviate your immediate discomfort or pain. To do this, we utilize TENS, a kind of electric massage that can relax your over-worked jaw muscles. Once your jaw muscles are relaxed, Dr Miller can look at the problem in detail and consider possible long-term solutions to prevent the return of your discomfort. For some people, regular TENS massages are sufficient to alleviate the worst symptoms. For others, it is best to utilize an orthotic, a mouth piece that is worn to hold your jaw in proper alignment, which helps your muscles to relax and keep in balance.

For some people, a more permanent solution is necessary. For these people, full mouth reconstruction is the best solution. In this procedure, dental restorations like dental crowns are used to build up worn teeth and dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Once your bite is restored to balance, your muscles will naturally be relaxed during the day, and you will not see a return of TMJ symptoms. Full mouth reconstruction will also halt and reverse the damage that TMJ was doing to your teeth.

Why Dr.  Miller

Not every dentist is a neuromuscular dentist. Dr. Joel Miller is an experienced neuromuscular dentist who received his training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, the foremost center for neuromuscular dental training in the world. Because he is also a skilled implant dentist, he is better able to oversee the entirety of your treatment, should full mouth reconstruction be required. In addition, kindness and compassion are a central focus of his practice, so all of us here at Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia strive to ensure you get treatment with the gentlest touch possible.

For more information, please see Questions about TMJ/TMD Treatment and read about the Pure Power Mouthguard.

If you think you have TMJ/TMD, don't suffer another day. Please schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. Miller today and learn how you can get relief. Please contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia today for neuromuscular dentistry treatment in Valencia, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Newhall and San Fernando.