From the Office

If you regularly experience soreness and tension in your jaw, you may need to see a neuromuscular dentist. Pain in the jaw is a major sign of a temporomandibular joint disorder, also called “TMD” or sometimes mistakenly referred to as “TMJ.” Facial pain, neck pain, back pain, and even shoulder or arm pain may actually be an indication that the upper and lower jaws are not fitting together in an ideal position, a condition known as a “bad bite.” The good news is that TMJ/TMD treatment can work wonders to reduce or eliminate the pain and related symptoms.

Additional signs of a jaw joint problem, along with pain, can indicate the need for a comprehensive neuromuscular evaluation. My team and I practice neuromuscular dentistry in our Boulder, Colorado dental office to help patients restore a healthy bite and put an end to pain. You may benefit from a neuromuscular consultation if you experience headaches, jaw clenching or grinding, ringing in the ears, ear pain, limited range of motion in the jaw, clicking sounds in the jaw, loose teeth, or worn teeth. Seemingly unrelated medical issues like dizziness or hearing problems could be an indication that TMJ/TMD treatment is needed.

The actual diagnosis of TMD indicates a dysfunction of the jaw joints, or any of the surrounding muscle, ligaments, and tendons. TMJ/TMD treatment is tailored to the individual, using conservative approaches first, and a comprehensive philosophy that addresses the nerves, teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissue of the face, neck, and head. Often pain relief can be found through noninvasive methods, such as the following:

• Orthotic appliances to retrain the jaw muscles
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation) therapy to promote jaw muscle relaxation
• Lifestyle adjustments (diet, exercise)
• Physical therapy of the jaw joints
• Dental reconstruction (crowns, dental implants, and other restorations to redesign the bite)

If you think you may have a jaw joint problem, start with an advanced diagnosis using sophisticated jaw tracking technology. First we’ll spend a good amount of time identifying the dysfunction so we can set your bite right using advanced neuromuscular treatments. Our goal is to make sure you can move your jaw in all positions with comfort and ease. After treatment, we hope you will feel invigorated, healthy, and happy with your pain-free bite.

For experienced TMJ/TMD advice and evaluation, our team is here to provide you with answers and help alleviate your neuromuscular pain. To schedule your jaw joint assessment, please schedule an appointment. We look forward to providing personalized dental care to you and your family.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

The temporomandibular joint (nicknamed “TMJ”) refers to the joint responsible for jaw movement. Contrary to previous theories, problems with the TMJs are now believed to most often originate elsewhere in the bite system, instead of within the joint itself. In my practice, I frequently find that joint problems result from a misalignment of the teeth, referred to as a “malocclusion” or “bad bite.”

Jaw Joints and Your Body

The body is a mystery, but the more we uncover about the effects of the temporomandibular joints on the rest of the body, the more we are able to help patients escape the symptoms of a bad bite. Before the field of neuromuscular dentistry developed, jaw joint problems were misdiagnosed or overlooked. Even today, there are many dentists who aren’t trained to identify TMJ issues. As a neuromuscular dentist, I use state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and treat jaw joint issues that are causing my patients distress. The one overlying lesson I’ve learned from specialized jaw joint training is that TMJ problems can cause even the most seemingly unrelated symptoms. Who would think that numbness in the fingers, shoulder pain and back pain could indicate a bad bite? More obvious symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, and clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the jaw.

Treatment for Jaw Joint Problems

At our Boulder dental clinic, my neuromuscular dentistry team treats TMJ problems with conservative TMJ therapy first. Misalignment of temporomandibular joints is often resolved as a result of correcting a malocclusion, meaning that we align the bite correctly and the pain and other problems disappear. In most cases, our approach is non-surgical and may indicate wearing what we call an orthotic appliance to temporarily change the bite. If symptoms are resolved successfully, then a second phase of treatment may be indicated to permanently change the bite and hold the alignment of the joints and muscles.

We may prescribe certain anti-inflammatories or pain control medications, but use them sparingly so as not to mask important indicators that may help us find a solution. 

Things like sports injuries, arthritis, underbites, and uneven dental work are often found to cause jaw joint problems.  In many cases, anatomic abnormalities passed on through genetics create the uneven bite that causes TMJ symptoms. Whatever the cause, we can try a number of therapies designed to restore a healthy, harmonious bite and alleviate jaw joint pain.

Whether you are experiencing jaw pain or simply want to ensure your jaw joints are functioning optimally, we invite you to schedule an appointment to meet the team and learn more about how we care for your comprehensive dental health.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are experiencing recurring headaches, jaw soreness, jaw clicking or popping, or neck and shoulder pain, it may be time to have your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examined by a skilled Colorado neuromuscular dentist.

Temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, is a medical condition indicating dysfunction of the jaw joint. TMD sufferers experience a wide variety of symptoms when the jaw joint is out of alignment, usually the result of an accident, genetics, orthodontics, or arthritis. The symptoms mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg — there are a wide range of symptoms that may indicate TMD, including numbness in the hands and ringing in the ears. What we want to do as your diagnostic team is to evaluate the symptoms and examine the components of the jaw, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons, to uncover the cause of the misalignment.

Often we will use sophisticated jaw-tracking technology to evaluate the musculoskeletal system and identify the components of the jaw that are weak. Digital imaging allows us to see how the inner workings of your jaw operate and to spot areas of stress. Once the underlying cause is pinpointed, we can choose the TMJ therapy program to eliminate your symptoms and gently realign your bite. Treatment may include a combination of efforts, such as cosmetic dentistry, braces, orthotics, and jaw joint manipulation exercises.

If you experience issues with your jaw joint and would like to know more about TMD, please read our previous blog Do You Have a Bad Bite? and give us a call to set up a personalized evaluation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry