Temporomandibular disorder (TMJ, TMJD or TMD) affects the temporomandibular joint, an area that includes the hinge jaw joint (the bridge for the lower jaw or mandible) and the temporal bone of the skull located in front of each ear, the muscles surrounding the jaw and the jaw itself.
This area of the face contributes to chewing, bite (occlusion) and jaw movement. Therefore, TMJ disorder compromises jaw flexibility and may cause pain at rest or during common movements such as talking, chewing and yawning.
The pain and discomfort caused by TMJ disorder may be severe, can be either intermittent or constant and may last for many years.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TMD/TMJ? 1. Pain around your ears 2. Pain in your jaw, tooth, face, neck, or shoulders 3. Clicking or popping of your jaw (jaw instability) 4. Inability to open your mouth, with or without pain, in the normal range of motion 5. Grinding your teeth 6. Ringing or fullness in your ears 7. Migraine headaches or any other type of headaches 8. Sinus pressure and lack of draining
There are many causes: 1. Trauma/whiplash 2. Braces/dental work 3. Stress/teeth grinding 4. Dental malocclusions 5. Missing or bad teeth 6. Muscle abuse/overuse 7. Inflammation 8. Disease
THE THREE COMPONENTS OF TMD
1) IMBALANCE of the BITE/OCCLUSION. 2) IMBALANCE among the MUSCLES and JOINTS of the JAW, HEAD, and NECK. 3) STRESS IMBALANCE and HOME CARE.
IF YOUR DENTIST OR DOCTOR IS NOT TREATING ALL THREE COMPONENTS, YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS GO DOWN DRAMATICALLY.
1) IMBALANCE of the BITE/OCCLUSION
Successful diagnosis and treatment of your TMJ condition require state-of-the-art technology. We use the only computerized test that can accurately and objectively measure your occlusion/bite. Do not leave your bite to chance! For years, dentists have had to use a large amount of guesswork in diagnosing dental occlusion. Imprecise tools such as articulation paper, waxes, and pressure indicator paste were all we had to assess and balance the forces of the bite with the muscles and joints of the head and neck. Most of these methods are not sensitive enough to detect simultaneous contact, and none measure both biting time and force … critical components in diagnosing TMD.
2) IMBALANCE among the MUSCLES and JOINTS of the JAW, HEAD, and NECK We use four modalities to BALANCE and relax the MUSCLES and JOINTS of the JAW, HEAD, and NECK.
First: Ultrasound helps break up scar tissue and adhesions and bring blood flow to the area. Ultrasound works on the deeper muscles and tissues, using penetrating sound waves and heat.
Second: Massage helps relax the muscles, bring blood flood to the area, stimulate healing, and locate “trigger points” in the muscles. Trigger points are tiny knots or balls in the muscle that contain lactic acid and create pain wind-up loops. These trigger points refer pain from the muscle to other areas of the body. For example, a trigger point in the upper shoulder may refer pain into the jaw and/or face.
Third: Alpha-Stim microcurrent* helps break up the trigger points located through massage. Alpha-Stim sends a low electrical current that produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the major source of energy for cellular reactions), which relaxes and unwinds the trigger point. This action releases the build-up of lactic acid, and the pain both in that area and in the referring areas is reduced.
Fourth: Low-level laser increases the healing time of the muscles and joints by 25-35%! The low-level laser uses a nonheat laser light to send a signal to the muscles and nerves to produce ATP – energy – thereby allowing the muscles to relax, increasing blood flow to the area, and reducing pain. Then, the laser sends a signal to the brain to help inhibit pain.
*Alpa-Stim microcurrent - FDA cleared and clinically proven. Alpha-Stim delivers a dose of microcurrent that is almost undetectable. These “microcurrents” attempt to mimic the body’s own natural electrical functions. “Patients with treatment-resistant depression and migraines have shown significant elevations in plasma serotonin.” University of Miami’s School of Medicine quotes, “Increases in cerebrospinal fluid level of beta-endorphins up to 219%, plasma endorphins up to 98%, and cerebrospinal fluid serotonin up to 200% have been demonstrated in normal volunteers receiving 20 minutes of CES [cranial electrotherapy stimulation].” All of these improvements in brain chemistry are necessary for upper body health. Also good for treating anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
3) STRESS IMBALANCE and HOME CARE
We offer a complete home-care program designed to reduce and manage pain and headaches. These include:
Microcurrent is the application of low-level electrical current to nerves and muscle-motor fibers via electrodes (patches) placed on the skin.
This treatment works to reduce swelling, pain, and muscle spasms, improve circulation, and strengthen muscles. TMD AND MIGRAINE OR TENSION HEADACHES
The most common TMD complaint is migraine headache accompanied by jaw, head, neck, and/or shoulder pain. Although the majority of migraines and TMJ headaches have various causes, but they all have one thing in common … dysfunction of the temporal mandibular joint of the jaw. Most migraine headaches have two common attributes:
Migraine headaches usually start in the forehead, temples, or back of the head. Those who clench or grind their teeth may also develop migraine-like headaches. The good news is that these migraine headaches and other headaches along with the associated pain can be treated effectively. There’s no need to continue to live with migraine headache pain when you can get relief from these symptoms naturally without drugs! TENSION HEADACHES AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES ARE AMONG THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TMJ DYSFUNCTION As a highly trained dental practitioner in the treatment of TMD, Dr. Gorman has spent years learning and practicing the most advanced technology and research to bring relief to TMD patients. The heart of our practice is to help you find freedom from TMJ and related symptoms – especially TMJ tension headaches and migraine headaches. Dr. Gorman’s firm commitment to his patients, is to provide relief from migraine headaches, grinding your teeth, popping and clicking of your jaw, fullness and ringing in ears, as well as any jaw, face, head, or neck pain related to TMJ.
