Are you suffering from painful headaches and jaw pain? You may be suffering from a
hidden problem in your jaw called TMJ Disorder.
Do you clench and grind your teeth? Are you waking up with painful headaches that radiate from your temples, ears, or jaw? Do you have limited mouth opening? Do you have sensitive teeth, loose teeth, or toothaches in the absence of tooth decay? Do you have crowns or cosmetic veneers that constantly come off and need to be re-cemented periodically? Do you have clicking or popping of your jaw joint?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be suffering from a common problem known as TMJ Disorder or TMD, an often misunderstood, misdiagnosed and improperly treated condition. In our 18 years of experience in treating the Los Angeles Downtown TMJ patient, we have successfully treated thousands of patients for this exact problem. Our experience has led us to believe that TMJ Disorder is prevalent in the Los Angeles Downtown population. The Downtown patient works on an average of more than 40 hour per week and shoulders most of the responsibilities in the household. This results in high levels of stress due to the high pressures of day to day life. There is no doubt that stress is certainly a major factor in increasing the symptoms of TMJ, but contrary to what most people believe, it’s not the primary cause. The primary causes are reflexes that are triggered by an improper bite (malocclusion) that cause spasms of the numerous muscles of the jaw, neck and face.
Most joints of the body are all fixed in their hinge axis. To clarify hinge axis, it’s the same movement a door makes when it’s opening and closing from its hinge. The jaw joint is the only joint in the body that is able to slide out of its socket. Because it could do this, its able to deviate from its hinge axis and thus, be able to do the complex motion of chewing, a complex ability we all take for granted. If teeth occluded together at the hinge axis position of the jaw, most people would be fine. However, if the teeth developed in a position where the bite comes together outside this hinge axis, where the jaw is slightly protruded from the socket, then there is a potential for TMJ symptoms. The average person cannot tell if their bite comes together forward of this hinge axis, only observing that their jaw is intermittently sore or have a sudden uncontrollable urge to clench and grind their teeth. Only a dental professional that is properly trained can diagnose if the teeth are occluding outside of this hinge axis position.
The initial treatment for TMJ Disorder is relatively simple and noninvasive. However it does require thorough care by a dental professional. We simply make a customized TMJ splint or mouthguard, adjusting it meticulously in several appointments so that the patient’s teeth come together on the device in the ideal hinge axis position. After achieving proper adjustment, the splint will eventually neutralize the harmful reflexes. This is why a properly fitted TMJ splint works and why a non customized mouthguard doesn't. A generic mouthguard from a drugstore or by mail order will not resolve TMJ Disorder because it will be set arbitrarily to a bite position anywhere but the correct position. After wearing a proper TMJ splint for only 48 hours, the TMJ patient will notice a difference when they wake up. They will find that their jaw feels more rested, headaches occur less frequently and teeth sensitivity are resolved.
For the most part, TMJ Disorder could be manage with splint therapy. But in some cases, a "deprogrammer device" or an NTI is also necessary. And on extreme cases, fixing the bite itself by either re-contouring certain teeth, doing groups of crowns and veneers, doing orthodontic treatment, i.e. Invisalign or a combination of any of these treatments is indicated where an individual can not wear a splint indefinitely. But rest assured contrary to what most people have heard there is an effective treatment for this disorder. At the same time, if not treated and left ignored, it could only get progressively worse, where teeth could begin to break, existing gum disease worsens, and/or resulting in severe jaw joint damage requiring painful surgeries.
We are here to help. Call for your free consultation with Los Angeles Downtown TMJ Dentist Dr. Don Mungcal 213.620.5777
