Cosmetic Dentist Las Vegas | Dr. Tony Tomaro

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ and TMD)

If you suffer from a variety of chronic pains, including migraines, neck and shoulder pain, back aches, and have tried multiple treatments with no real long term relief, you may it may be caused by a problem with your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ) are small joints in front of each of your ears that keep your lower jaw connected to your skull. They are some of the most intricate joints in your body. This complex network of teeth, bones, muscles, tendons and nerves are normally associated with manipulating your jaw and mouth to speak and chew, but when there is a dysfunction, it can also cause problems in other areas of the body.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
When the Temporomandibular Joint does not function correctly it is a called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). The most common cause of TMD is Malocclusion, otherwise more commonly referred to as a "bad bite." In this case, your upper and lower teeth are misaligned and do not close in the correct way, whether functioning or at rest.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?
There are several symptoms of TMJ disorder. The level of pain involved depends on the severity of the misalignment of your jaw. Some of these symptoms include:

• Bruxism (grinding of the teeth)
• Excessive wearing of the teeth
• Clicking or popping of the jaw
• Inability to use the full range of motion of the jaw
• Severe migraine-like headaches
• Face, back, neck, and shoulder aches and pains
• Loose teeth and possibly lost teeth
• Ringing in the ears

What are the treatment options for TMJ disorder?
Treating the symptoms of TMJ disorder provide temporary relief. Treating the cause of the disorder is important to permanently relieving the pain and suffering of the disorder. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on treating TMD starting with the cause.

Neuromuscular dentistry requires a highly trained specialist to assess the harmony of your facial muscles. Your facial muscles, bones, teeth, and jaw structure all affect how your jaw functions. If one muscle is doing more work then another due to the misalignment of your jaw, you will feel pain and tension. Your muscles will over compensate and work harder to try to properly align a misaligned jaw. This creates fatigue in the muscles. Once the jaw is properly aligned and in harmony with the muscles, bones, and teeth, the tension is released and many patients look and feel ten years younger. The tension created by TMD causes premature wrinkles in the face. These wrinkles can be reversed once the TMD causes are addressed.

How is TMD diagnosed?
Neuromuscular dentistry treatment may begin with diagnosing your problem by accurately measuring your facial/cranial muscles and jaw function to find your ideal jaw position. A soothing method of relaxing your muscles is initiated.

When your jaw muscles are completely relaxed, an impression of your bite is taken and compared with your pre-relaxation bite to give initial insight on how your bite should be adjusted.

In addition to your impression, we use a system (K-7) that precisely measures other aspects of your bite:

• Jaw Tracking (link to mandibular scanner)
• Joint Sounds (link to electro sonograph)
• Muscle activity in eight different areas of your face (link to electromyography)

Through the use of jaw tracking, joint sound recording, and muscle activity, we completely analyze your muscle function when your jaw is resting, functioning and identify any imbalance that exists in your muscles. This allows us to determine the position in which your jaw is most comfortable.

Your treatment is based on our findings during your comprehensive diagnosis.

When the teeth and jaw are out of alignment, even very slightly, they cannot support the muscles in the face needed to chew, swallow, talk, etc. These muscles are then forced into a more strained position that can cause pain throughout the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms and back.

Even if you have perfectly healthy, white teeth, and have a straight smile after years of orthodontic treatment, your jaw may be out of alignment and may cause painful symptoms of TMD.

If you, or someone you love, is experiencing chronic pain with no relief, it may be time to contact a specialized TMJ/TMD dentist like neuromuscular dentist Dr. Tony Tomaro. Schedule your TMD / TMJ consultation at Exceptional Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada, today. Also serving the Henderson, Nevada area. TMJ Las Vegas.