TMJ Disorders

Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMD) is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people. TMD is characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth, and an intermittent ringing in the ears. The vast majority of TMD sufferers are unaware that the root cause of these problems is something that a dentist can effectively treat.

People with TMJ disorders may exhibit a variety of symptoms including:

• Pain in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint
• Radiating pain in the face, jaw, ears, or neck
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
• Painful clicking or popping in the jaw joint when opening or closing
• Headaches
• Sleep disordered breathing disorders

Depending on the cause and symptoms, treatment options could include: an occlusal splint or nightguard, bite adjustments, airway evaluation for underlying sleep disordered breathing problems, orthodontics, restorative dental work, medications, Botox trigger point injections, laser muscle therapy, physical and massage therapy.

Sleep Disorders/Airway Screening/Snoring/Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious chronic disease that may trigger other serious health problems such as:

• Chronic sleepiness
• Heart attack/stroke/high blood pressure
• Heartburn/acid reflux
• Morning headaches/teeth grinding
• Depression/Anxiety/Weight gain

We screen our patients for these issues related to sleep disorders and work with sleep physicians to diagnose problems and develop treatment options. Oral appliances that open the airway for better oxygen flow during sleep are options for some people.

Airway Screening Steps:  

1. Identify oral signs and symptoms during dental visits:

• Your tongue covers your airway naturally
• You have a scalloped edge to your tongue
• You have cheek ridging
• You have a smaller mouth and high vaulted hard palate
• Your teeth are not in alignment/crowded
• Clenching and grinding
• Mouth breathing

2.  Review medical history to look for clues of underlying issues such as:

• High blood Pressure
• Taking 2 or more high blood pressure medications
• Acid reflux or GERD
• Having a thyroid disorder
• Having a heart condition
• Previous history of heart attack and stroke
• Erectile dysfunction

3.  Airway evaluation using Eccovision acoustic rhinometer and pharyngometer to measure airway flow through nose and mouth down throat.   The Pharyngometer uses sound waves to measure the size and volume of your airway during normal respiration, and upon exhalation.  It   measures the amount of air coming into your body.