TMJ Pain & Headache Treatment
Effective treatment for painful and misaligned jaw joints.
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint or jaw joint) is one of the hardest-working joints in your body. It’s composed of two hinge joints where your lower jaw (mandible) meets your “temporal” skull bone immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head.
This flexible joint allows you to smoothly move your jaw to chew, talk, and yawn. However, when the TMJ or the muscles connected to it are functioning poorly, the stress on the muscles supporting the jaw relays to the rest of the head and neck, causing painful symptoms such as headaches and other symptoms.
As jaw function is an integral part of dental treatment, dentists are the natural leaders in TMJ treatment. Dentistry has made many innovations in the field of TMJ disorder treatment and utilizes some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technology.
At Dr. John Nosti, our dentist is known for his success in treating TMJ problems, and many other doctors in the South Jersey area refer patients specifically for TMJ treatment. He uses the most advanced technology available to diagnose and treat the TMJ. This includes the T-Scan® device, owned by only 1% of dentists in the country. The T-Scan® precisely maps a patient’s bite, which is how your teeth come together.
A bite that is even a little off can lead to problems in chewing and can cause pain in the jaw, head, or facial area. The T-Scan® points out exactly where to correct the bite and results in accurate and successful treatment. Dr. Nosti is considered an expert in its use and has trained other dentists in using the T-Scan®.
Typical Symptoms
Typical symptoms of a TMJ in trouble, known as TMD (TMJ Disorder) are:
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Headaches
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Toothaches
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Neck aches
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Earaches
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Upper shoulder pain
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Ringing in the ears
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Facial pain or tenderness around the jaw joint area
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Difficulty opening the mouth very wide
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Jaws that get “locked”
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Clicking, grating, or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth
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Difficulty chewing
Causes of TMJ Problems
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Misaligned bite: Your bite is how your teeth come together. Misalignments in bite, such as an overbite, cause undue stress on the muscles that move the jaw in chewing and on the nerves that control these muscles. As well as causing TMJ pain, this pain can also be “referred” to other parts of the head and neck. A bad bite can occur as a result of inherited jaw misalignments, through trauma, and as a result of broken-down or worn teeth
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Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism): Some people are habitual teeth grinders or clenchers, often done unknowingly during sleep. This constant pressure on the TMJ causes the muscles to tense up, leading to various symptoms of pain
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Dislocation of the joint from the socket
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Trauma and injury
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Stress: People experiencing a great amount of stress can get into the habit of tightening their facial and jaw muscles or clenching their teeth
Advanced Technology for Successful TMJ Treatment
It all starts with an accurate diagnosis.
There are many factors that are known to increase your risk of developing gum disease, such as:
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Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)
This diagnostic technology provides a quick and accurate evaluation of the health of the TMJ. The JVA measures and compares the vibrations of your jaw when you open and close it against the normal vibrations of a smooth-functioning jaw joint.
Specific changes, such as those caused by jaw joint degeneration, tears, or displacement, produce different vibration patterns or “signatures.” Using a computer program, Dr. Nosti can identify the patterns and diagnosis the exact cause of the TMJ problem. A JVA analysis only takes a couple of minutes.
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EMG Biofeedback
EMG, or electromyographic feedback, uses electronic sensors to monitor muscle tension. From this test, Dr. Nosti can evaluate the function of the muscles in the head and neck.
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T-Scan® Bite Analysis
Dr. Nosti uses the Tekscan® T-Scan® to map the pressure caused by patients biting down onto a sensor.
The T-Scan® records an accurate, detailed measurement of the biting pressure throughout the mouth. This is transmitted to a computer to help Dr. Nosti analyze your bite. In an optimum bite, the teeth come together evenly with even pressure throughout the mouth. A bad bite, such as an overbite or underbite, can cause a great deal of stress on the TMJ, impair function, and cause pain.
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Computerized Jaw Tracking
With the JT-3D computerized jaw-tracking device, Dr. Nosti can see how well the jaw operates. The JT-3D records the jaw movements in three dimensions.
Our dentist uses the jaw tracker to detect TMJ dysfunction, such as the limitation in opening of the jaw and jaw movement deviations.
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Immediate Pain Relief with MLS Cold Laser Healing
For immediate pain relief, Dr. Nosti uses an MLS (Multi-wave Lock System), a cold laser that can reduce pain and inflammation at the same time. Traditional laser therapy can only treat one or the other at a time. This dual-action laser quickly reduces pain and swelling and speeds healing and recovery.
This cutting-edge laser is a powerful adjunct to therapy. Patients come to us in pain and leave feeling good. The MLS is used throughout treatment to reduce pain and increase healing.
Success Stories
Hear from our patients.
- Christina
- Jonathan Abenaim, DMD DICOI
TMJ Disorder Treatment
Let’s relieve that tension.
Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, Dr. Nosti creates your TMJ treatment plan at our Mays Landing and Somers Point, NJ practice. Remedies for TMJ disorders vary according to severity. If detected early, we may simply recommend that you rest the jaw muscles by avoiding hard foods, chewing gums, and relaxing the muscles with heat.
Your treatment can include one or more of the following:
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Appliance therapy: Dr. Nosti custom creates an appliance similar to a mouth guard that keeps your jaw in position and relaxed. The appliance can also adjust your bite to an optimal position.
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Orthodontics: Once the jaw has been relaxed and healed, patients can choose to have more permanent fixes for their misaligned jaw or bite with orthodontics.
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Dental work (such as crowns, veneers, and dental implants): Other dental work, such as crowns, veneers, and dental implants, can also work to reposition your jaw and bite.
