Get the help you need for Jaw Pain, TMJ and other Neuromuscular problems.
Our Director, Dr. Abe Katz is a highly experienced neuromuscular dentist. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the bite. When the lower jaw closes and meets the upper jaw, this is your bite, more formally known as your dental occlusion. In many people, that closure is not perfect, so that the teeth may come together in a misaligned way, rubbing against each other and causing premature wear and tear.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the jaw joint in our temples. In practice, however, TMJ is used to refer to temporomandibular joint syndrome, which is the same thing as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). So, both TMJ and TMD are used to refer to a misaligned bite and its painful symptoms, which is what the disorder or syndrome is. According to the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP), TMD is the preferred term.
TMD can creep up on us if we do a lot of teeth grinding, gum chewing, or gnawing at pencils, fingernails, lips, etc. It can also be caused by a blow to the face or head such as you might sustain in an auto or sports accident. Another cause is a misaligned bite. Dr. Katz focuses on the jaw joint and the muscles and other structures, which surround and support the teeth themselves. He can help with symptoms, which have not traditionally been thought of as dental in nature:
- Headaches
- Jaw and facial pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Popping or clicking noises when the jaw moves
- Neck and shoulder pain
These are the main symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder.
Computerized technology has been developed which enables Dr. Katz, who is trained in neuromuscular dentistry, to diagnose TMD and treat it. TMD can easily develop into a very painful condition, and many people who suffer from it don't think at first of seeing a dentist about it. They may see several doctors first, who may prescribe painkillers for the headaches but, eventually, when the cause of those headaches is dental, that person may find his or her way to a neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Katz. Then the pain relief can really begin. Call Dr. Katz today for your personalized consultation and start living life pain free!
TMJ Treatment
Each case of TMJ/TMD is unique, and Dr. Katz will conduct specific tests to get a clearer picture of your particular version of TMD. The first goal of treatment is to relieve your pain, and this is done by relaxing the jaw joint and its muscles using an advanced technique called Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS). The TENS unit is a small, battery-powered device with electrodes that Dr. Katz will place strategically on your facial and neck areas. You can lean back and read or listen to music, even go to sleep during these treatments. They feel like a gentle massage on your face and neck. After about 30 minutes, the pain will be gone.
After the TENS machine has relieved the pain and relaxed the jaw, this new jaw position is measured and input to a computer program. The muscle activity while the jaw is rested is recorded with an EMG. Compiling this information, Dr. Katz can devise your treatment plan. If the jaw muscles can be retrained to retain the relaxed, closed jaw position, and to return to it each time you close your mouth, the painful symptoms will not recur.
Call us today to schedule your complimentary platinum-care consultation with Dr. Katz.
