TMJ Treatment can provide relief for headaches (migraines), head and neck pain, jaw clicking or popping, and worn or sensitive teeth from grinding and clenching. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders are thought to cause 90% of all headaches and neck pain. New techniques in tooth design can allow the lower jaw to function farther away from the skull. This provides more space for the TMJ to function in a healthier position. The decreased pressure on the TMJ usually provides patients with relief from headaches and neck pain.
"After taking prescription pain medications for my migraine headaches for more than 10 years, I am finally pain free and don’t need drugs anymore. I can’t believe how easy it was."
Jan Phoenix, Az
Before
After TMJ Repositioning
Before
After TMJ Repositioning
"Headaches, neck and shoulder pain were completely gone a few days after my lower jaw was moved forward.”
"My jaw cracked so loud you could hear it across the table. The noise was eliminated immediately after my jaw was brought forward, and never has returned !”
The lower jaw was moved forward to treat TMJ Dysfunction for this patient. The treatment also provided tremendous support to the patient’s facial skin, making her look 5 to 10 years younger.
How does TMJ cause headaches, facial pain, etc…?
Misalignment of the jaw and disorder in the joints causes the symptoms of TMD in two ways:
First, around the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint itself are nerves and blood vessels that lead to other areas of the head and neck. When the TMJs and jaw are misaligned, muscle spasms result in excessive pressure on these nerves and blood vessels, causing pain in the head, neck and shoulder areas. The problem is not in the actual area where the pain is perceived. This is similar to a problem in the joints of your spine causing numbness or pain in other regions of the body, such as your hands or feet.
Secondly, TMD can cause pain as a result of the balance of the muscles associated with the jaw and skull. The jaw has a precise optimal position for creating balance and harmony in the muscles that attach to it. If this balance is disrupted, as is the case in TMD, these muscles become irritated, experience muscle fatigue, spasm, and eventually pain.
Anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint.
Regions of highest pain intensity leading to headaches/head & neck pain from TMJ/TMD.
What is TMJ Dysfunction (TMD) ?
The term “TMJ Dysfunction” describes an imbalance in the relationship of the jaw to the skull. This imbalance causes two problems for those that suffer from it. First, it leads to improper alignment of the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs) which connect these two bones. Secondly, it creates disharmony in the muscles which attach to the bones.
The cascade of painful symptoms that arise solely from these two problems is staggering to most people. Although most times the pain is not actually in the TMJs themselves, you can feel your own by pressing your fingers just in front of your ears and opening and closing your mouth.
Causes of TMJ/TMD
Those that suffer from TMD have an improper jaw-to-skull relationship caused by malocclusion (a bad bite). This “bad bite” can be caused by excessive wearing down of teeth due to clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism), a traumatic injury such as a car accident, or simply a bite that develops out of alignment as one grows.
Normal TMJ Animation
When the mouth opens, two distinct motions occur at the joint. The first motion is ROTATION around a horizontal axis through the condylar heads. The second motion is TRANSLATION. The condyle and meniscus move together interiorly beneath the articular eminence.
In the closed mouth position, the thick posterior band of the meniscus lies immediately above the condyle. As the condyle translates forward, the thinner intermediate zone of the meniscus becomes the articulating surface between the condyle and the articular eminence.When the mouth is fully open, the condyle may lie beneath the anterior band of the meniscus.
Abnormal TMJ Animation
Anterior Displacement With Reduction
INTERNAL DERANGEMENT of the TMJ is present when the posterior band of the meniscus is anteriorly displaced infront of the condyle. As the meniscus translates anteriorly, the posterior band remains in front of the condyle and the bilaminar zone becomes abnormally stretched and attenuated. Often the displaced posterior band will return to its normal position when the condyle reaches a certain point. This derangement causes you to hear a "popping" or "clicking" sound in your ear.
Anterior Displacement Without Reduction
In some patients the meniscus remains anteriorly displaced at full opening. Patients with anterior displacement without reduction often cannot fully open their mouths. Sometimes there is a tear or perforation of the meniscus. Grinding noises in the joint are often present.
This is a much more severe condition than the "Popping" TMJ. It leads to osteoarthritis of the jaw joint. The joint breaks down and results in a receding chin and protruding teeth as time goes by. If the displaced disc is pressing against the inner ear, you will probably get subjective hearing loss and other ear symptoms.
Treatment Options for TMJ
The first phase of treatment involves diagnosing and treating the patient’s pain and muscle spasms. Often the patient will wear an appliance for 6 to 8 weeks to determine the bite position that is best for the patient’s TMJ. Once this bite position is found, it can be maintained permanently by several approaches, depending on which treatment is best for your case.
The four most typical treatments are:
Coronoplasty/Equilibration Coronoplasty is smoothing and reshaping the enamel of the teeth to correct your bite. It is a simple procedure that does not require anesthesia and can be used when the bite is only slightly misaligned.
Removable Overlay Partials This is a permanent, removable appliance that usually fits over the back teeth and is designed to maintain an aligned bite.
Reconstruction This approach involves making the teeth higher by using crowns. This permanently realigns the bite and provides structural support for the jaw.
Orthodontics (Braces) When the teeth are healthy they may be moved to the optimal position using braces.
"I had headaches for as long as I can remember, and the physicians I saw could never find the cause or provide me with relief. The day after my jaw was repositioned I was headache free, and 1 year later I am still free from headaches."
Bethany, RN Phoenix, AZ
Call for a complimentary consultation to see how you can eliminate headaches and pain with TMJ treatment, benefit from safe, non-surgical dental facelift and revolutionary cosmetic dental procedures
Paradise Valley Dental Group
We offer most advanced dental services, including Smile Makeover, Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Treatment or a Dental Facelift. Call now for free consultation or second opinion.
Paradise Valley Dental Group 7125 E. Lincoln Drive, Suite B-212 Scottsdale AZ 85253 Phone 480-483-8067 Fax 480-483-8471 Open 7:30am to 5pm Monday-Thursday azsmiles4everyone@gmail.com
Before
The term “TMJ Dysfunction” describes an imbalance in the relationship of the jaw to the skull. This imbalance causes two problems for those that suffer from it. First, it leads to improper alignment of the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs) which connect these two bones. Secondly, it creates disharmony in the muscles which attach to the bones.
