You may need the services of a temporomandibular joint in Brooklyn if you have jaw pain that your medical doctor can’t diagnose. Treatment for TMJ has come a long way, and aggressive treatment techniques or unnecessary surgical intervention have been replaced by caution in diagnosis, planning, and care. Our orthodontic team at Envy Smile Dental Spa clinic has availed themselves of the latest technologies to help you achieve pain-free, aesthetically pleasing oral health.
Headaches
If you’re one of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic recurring headaches, you may be in need of treatment from a TMJ specialist. After seeing a medical doctor, you still might not have a definite diagnosis of the exact cause of migraines and other types of headaches. Even headaches following trauma are still very difficult to figure out.
While medical therapy still relies on pain medications to treat jaw pain and migraines, treatment for TMJ at Envy Smile Dental Spa often helps without drugs or the accompanying side effects they produce, like an addiction. If you are in Brooklyn and have chronic, recurrent headaches and your medical doctor can’t pinpoint the cause, you may benefit from a functional jaw orthopedics evaluation from a cosmetic dentist.
The Skinny Behind TMJ Pain
The temporomandibular joint, more commonly referred to as TMJ, is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the temporal bone in your head. Place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth. You should be able to feel the joints on each side move. Because these joints are flexible, your jaw can move smoothly up and down and from side to side, allowing you to talk, chew, and yawn.
A soft disc between the rounded ends of your lower jaw and the temporal bone acts as a shock absorber for your TMJ when you chew, talk, and clench your teeth. Pain in your jaw can stem from sources including:
- Myofascial pain, which is pain or discomfort in the muscles that control jaw function. Pain emanates from your neck or shoulder muscles
- Internal derangement of the joint, which indicates a dislocated jaw or displaced disc, usually from a traumatic injury
- Degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint
Risk Factors for TMJ
Poor posture can be considered as one of the most common risk factors for TMJ disorder. Poor posture causes unnecessary strain in the muscles of the neck and the upper back area. It often results in neck strain and dysfunction of jaw muscles. Other risk factors for TMJ jaw condition include:
- Connective tissue diseases such as chronic inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Jaw injury or malocclusion
- Stress, which may cause muscle tension, grinding of teeth, or jaw clenching
Some genetic predisposition, such as pain sensitivity and increased stress response, can also increase the likelihood of developing jaw problems.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
Jaw joint problems, clinically referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD, are usually just called TMJ for simplicity. It doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you clearly describe your symptoms to your Brooklyn dental spa specialist.
The most common sign a dentist hears about is pain while chewing. Occasional discomfort while chewing, however, is common and not always a sign of TMJ problems.
Other TMJ symptoms include:
- Limited movement or locking of your jaw
- Radiating pain in your face, neck, or shoulders
- Painful clicking, popping or grating sounds in your jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth
- A sudden, major change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together
- Headaches, earaches, dizziness, and hearing problems that don’t respond to other treatments
Diagnosis of TMJ
To find out the exact cause of your condition, the dentist will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. During the examination, your TMJ doctor may:
- Listen for clicks, pops, or grating sounds when you open and close your mouth
- Check the motion range in your jaw
- Test your bite and facial muscles for any issues
- Locate sites of pain or tenderness by pressing on different areas of the jaw
If your dentists suspect a problem, you may need to take a full-face X-ray, MRI, or CT so they can view your temporomandibular joints, and position of teeth. For a more precise diagnosis, the doctor can perform a TMJ arthroscopy, during which a small thin tube is gently inserted into the joint space. A small camera in the tube will help get a thorough view of the area and determine your diagnosis and type of treatment.
When You Need a TMJ Specialist
Functional jaw orthopedics is a relatively new science. The TMJ treatment is based on the findings of the latest orthodontic investigative techniques. At Envy Smile Dental Spa, your cosmetic dentistry team offers this cutting-edge option that involves changing the relationships of your teeth, bone, muscles, and tissues of the upper and lower jaws, jaw joints, and skull.
Your Brooklyn dental team looks for simple tooth imbalances that force your lower jaw to shift. These imbalances lead to jaw pain and headaches. If your jaw shifts too much toward one or both TM joints, the forces used for chewing and biting eventually cause the degeneration that’s the source of your discomfort. Your dentist catches this on X-rays.
What to Expect from Your Dentist
Treatments for TMJ in Brooklyn can take many forms. It’s an individualized process that guides your orthodontist and cosmetic dentist. Relying on a broad range of techniques and appliances, your dentist picks the best-suited treatment for your particular needs.
At Envy Smile Dental Spa, you won’t be pushed into a general treatment method or timeline. Instead, you’re encouraged to try a few different removable appliances that place force on your teeth and jaws- the same appliances used for straightening teeth. Removable and fixed braces can be made of metal, plastic, or both.
Who Benefits from Treatment for TMJ?
Adults and kids of all ages can always benefit from the improved self-esteem that comes with being pain-free. With treatment for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, your jawbone is set right, and you have better oral functioning. The result is better overall health. When applied at an early age, treatment for TMJ can help your kids avoid extensive future dental problems and cognitive issues sometimes associated with headaches.
TMJ is a disruptive condition. Your Brooklyn dental spa is the perfect place to get your TMJ jaw treatment. In addition to the top-rated dental team, you’ll also have access to day-spa-like amenities that range from aromatherapy to neck pillows while undergoing treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Most Common Causes of TMJ?
For the most effective treatment, our doctors investigate the causes of your jaw disorder. The common TMJ causes are:
- Jaw or teeth injury
- Malocclusion
- Arthritis
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Stress
- Excessive gum chewing
- Postural dysfunction
After identifying the reasons for your disorder, your doctor prescribes the type of treatment and optional medications.
How Much Does TMJ Treatment Cost?
The cost of TMJ syndrome treatment depends on the severity and causes of your problem. The price for corrective braces ranges from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on the material. Medications and optional pain relievers can be included in the fee. In case you require full mouth reconstruction, the average price starts from $30,000 without insurance.
Is TMJ Covered by Health Insurance?
TMJ syndrome is a jaw and muscle disorder that should be covered by insurance. It can be covered under medical or dental plans. Your best bet would be to contact your insurance company and clarify whether TMJ treatment is covered by your health insurance plan.
Do you have any questions about TMJ Treatment? Would you like to schedule an appointment with the TMJ specialist in Brooklyn? Please contact our office.