TMJ Orthopedic Appliance

The basis of our treatment consists of neuromuscular therapy to help decompress stressed tissue areas and regain equilibrium. Most patients with jaw joint compression problems (damage to the disc and surrounding joint tissues) require immediate lower jaw repositioning with appliances that help to decompress the joint area in order to allow healing.

Most people do not realize that each and every one of us use our jaws more than 5,000 times a day to talk, eat, and swallow. This repetitive frequency can cause severe damage to someone who has joint damage. Once we are able to reposition the jaw into a “healing” position we can begin to notice reduction in pain. This initial treatment phase is accomplished by using various orthopedic appliances.

Nightime TMJ Orthopedic Appliances

Managing the airway and minimizing parafunction (clenching and grinding ) at night is critical to the success of TMJ treatment. Quality Sleep is critical to the healing process and most patients in chronic pain do not sleep well. The healing process is therefore significantly compromised. In addition clenching and grinding at night is %70 predictive of an airway problem – either snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Treating TMJ Disorders therefore mandates that the airway is managed effectively. This often requires different appliances for nighttime wear.

Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

Sometimes our patients come to our office with chronic pain problems. These patients often require more extensive treatments. We like to work closely with local therapists and physicians to be able to help our patients maximize their insurance benefits and receive the best possible treatments from the leading experts in our area.

Chronic Pain + Sleep Apnea

At our office we have found that many of our chronic pain patients have Sleep Apnea problems. We evaluate all of our patients for signs and symptoms of sleep disturbances. If we suspect problems, we work closely with local sleep labs to make sure that the proper diagnosis is made.

Sleep Apnea is a “silent” cause of many health problems. We know how to help our patients with these problems and we work with our team of physicians to give our patients the best possible alternatives.

Chronic Pain + Orthodontic Reconstruction

For more advanced treatment methods: orthodontics or crowns and bridges may be required. We perform everything from braces to implants, crowns and bridges.

My many years of dental experience is the key ingredient needed when a patient’s jaw must be permanently repositioned into proper alignment by means of any dental method. Successful head pain relief can only be accomplished by a practitioner who is skilled at doing complex reconstruction involving orthodontics or prosthodontics.