703.478.9574TMD / TMJ Treatment
Reston and Arlington, VA
Each case of TMJ/TMD is unique, and your dentist will conduct some 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.
- Relax the jaw and relieve the pain
The first step in treatment is to relax the tense jaw muscles, and this is done with 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. Putting this information together, Dr. Katz can devise your treatment plan. If the jaw muscles can be retrained to retain this position as the relaxed, closed jaw position, and to return to it each time you close your mouth, the painful symptoms will not recur.
The muscles might not be the only component of your TMD, your misaligned bite. The teeth may need attention too, and may need to be reshaped or realigned. However, the second step in treatment will be an attempt to retrain the jaw muscles.
- Use an orthosis
Using the information gathered during the first phase of your TMJ / TMD treatment, Dr. Katz will create a clear plastic tray, known as an orthosis or splint. It fits over your lower back teeth and behind your front teeth. It’s comfortable to wear and should remain in position 24 hours a day for several months. You can remove it for cleaning.
After about three months of wearing this orthosis, a second computer record is made of your bite, to compare with the first one, and based on this comparison, you and Dr. Katz can discuss whether further treatment is desirable.
- Further treatment options
- Re-shaping of selected teeth
- A more extensive dental reconstruction
- A longer-term orthosis for the bite
- Surgery (in rare cases)
Before proceeding with any of these options, Dr. Katz would explain them and discuss things with you. The treatment goal would be to achieve a permanently relaxed jaw joint, with the upper and lower teeth slightly apart in the resting position, and the muscles all at their full relaxed length.
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LVI Neuromuscular Dentist
For complete freedom from TMD symptoms, contact Dr. Katz and schedule a Free Smile Evaluation at his Herndon office
