TMD Therapy

Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMD) is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people. It is also referred to frequently as “TMJ”. Dr. Scott Lampert has advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition, which can manifest in a variety of ways.

TMD is often associated with severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth, and an intermittent ringing in the ears. The vast majority of TMD sufferers are unaware that the root cause of these problems is something that Dr. Lampert can effectively treat.

Because the symptoms of TMD are debilitating and can greatly interfere with everyday life, patients seek pain relief and finding the right dentist to help will make all the difference.

At Brookside Family Dental, your comfort and well-being are at the center of all we do. Pain relief is Dr. Lampert’s first concern, and he will be able to diagnose and create an immediate plan to treat the causes of your TMD.

Common Symptoms of TMD

Pain, particularly in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint, is the most common symptom. Most TMD sufferers report more than one symptom. Other common symptoms include:

  • Chronic jaw muscle tenderness
  • Jaw muscle stiffness
  • Radiating pain in the face, jaw, or neck
  • Limited movement or locking of the jaw
  • Pain on opening the jaws
  • Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
  • Chronic or frequent headaches associated with head and neck muscle tension
  • A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
  • Night or daytime teeth grinding and/or teeth clenching with associated worn, cracked and loose teeth

Common Causes of TMD

The most common cause of TMD is the misalignment of the jaws and their teeth. This is called “malocclusion” (or a“bad bite”).There are other causes such as an accidental blow to the meniscus cartilage, dislocation of the jaw, arthritis and fibromyalgia.

People who have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may develop TMJ disease as a secondary condition. Rheumatic diseases refer to a large group of disorders that cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints, muscles, and bone. Both rheumatoid arthritis and some TMJ disorders involve inflammation of the tissues that line the joints. The exact relationship between these conditions is not known. If you have rheumatoid arthritis TMD treatment by Dr. Lampert may reduce the severity of inflammation. Maintaining optimal periodontal health will also reduce the inflammation in your whole body and improve your overall health.

Cranial arteritis (also known as large cell arteritis or temporal arteritis) is a rheumatoid condition that results in painful inflammation of blood vessels in the head and neck. Patients with the onset of this disease often seek TMJ diagnosis from their dentist. TMJ therapy will not improve this condition. If Dr. Lampert suspects you have this relatively rare disease, he will refer you to a medical specialist (rheumatologist or ENT specialist) for a definitive blood test and treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment of TMD

In order to determine the appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms, Dr. Lampert will ask you relevant questions about your health history. He will diagnosis the probable cause or causes of your discomfort based on x-rays and a thorough physical examination of occlusion (the way your teeth come together), palpation of head and neck muscles (particularly the muscles involved in opening and closing the jaws), and the movement and placement of your jaws in your jaw joints. In addition to listening to your story about your symptoms, he will listen for clicking, popping, and grating sounds in your jaw joints, feel the tension in your muscles, and ask you about tenderness and acute pain as he is making his examination.

To correct for a bad bite Dr. Lampert can modify the tops of teeth and/or recommend a course of orthodontics to ease the stress placed on jaw muscles and joints. The realignment of teeth or adjustment of how they meet when the upper and lower teeth come together will typically stop uncomfortable symptoms. The process of modifying the tops of the teeth so they harmoniously meet and work together without interferences when you speak and chew is called “equilibration” referencing the “balancing” of masticatory forces.

Prior to orthodontics and/or equilibration, bite splint therapy is usually provided as the first course of treatment. A bite splint slightly separates your teeth, repositions your jaws in the joints, and relaxes your jaw muscles. Over a period of therapeutic usage, your jaw muscles become relaxed most of the time, and the jaws comfortably sit in the joints. Dr. Lampert can then design treatment that results in your teeth coming together harmoniously without a splint.

Bruxism (teeth grinding) is very common among TMD patients and usually occurs at night. The grinding will eventually erode the structure of the teeth and lead to much more severe dental problems. Untreated TMD is a primary cause of worn, cracked and loose teeth. If left untreated, the temporo-mandibular joints may become damaged. Clicking, popping and grating sounds upon opening the jaw are an indication that the jaw joints are being affected.

The bite splint Dr. Lampert designs for your unique mouth will act as a nighttime mouthguard to prevent further damage to your teeth and jaw joints. You might need to wear your splint only during the night—when teeth grinding is most prevalent. But, because stress triggers muscle contraction, initiates the flare up of TMD symptoms, and worsens associated pain in most patients, there may be times during the day, when you want to wear your splint to relax your jaws and achieve pain relief.

Chronic bruxers and clenchers commonly wear a custom mouthguard at night, even after their teeth have been aligned or equilibrated for optimal occlusion. This helps halt their grinding response to stress and continues to protect their teeth and maintain them in their new alignment. Other relaxation techniques, such as meditation, massage and exercise should help relieve the stress response.

Ending TMD pain is One of Dr. Lampert’s areas of expertise. Let us help you now by contacting us immediately.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of TMD, we encourage you to contact our Brookside Family Dental office today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Scott Lampert will be happy to perform a diagnostic evaluation, answer questions, and discuss the evidence-based treatments that have helped other TMD sufferers.