Temporo-Mandibular Joint Pain & Dysfunction
Research estimates that over half of the population experiences some signs and symptoms of TMD (Temporo-Mandibular Disorder). Many of the patients left untreated have continuing underlying pathology that decreases the qualify of their lives. Typical signs and symptoms of TMD include
- Recurring shoulder, next, or back pain or tension
- Ringing in ear(s)
- Pain or headaches
- Migraines
- Pain or tension in facial muscles
- Clicking in jaw joint (or grinding sounds)
- Tingling in fingers (or numbness)
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Loss of range of motion (limited opening)
- Grinding and clenching
- Worn teeth
- Poor or misaligned bite
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Fracture lines in teeth
- Retruded lower jaw or deep overbite
- Short lower third of the face or increased lines, especially Marionette lines
- Abfractions at gumline
- Snoring or sleep apnea
Without treatment, TMJ problems may lead to chronic jaw pain, recurring headaches, and other adverse effects. Chronic pain, and other symptoms related to this condition can impact your quality of life and increase anxiety and depression as well as dependence on prescription pain medication.
Many TMD patients are misdiagnosed or not properly treated due to lack of knowledge and training as well as understanding by healthcare professionals. Many people seek medical advice only to be sent from doctor to doctor, specialist, pain clinic, alternative medicine, and simply be given prescription medication to manage their chronic pain.
Diagnosis is not the only Challenge
Due to a lack of knowledge and understanding around facial, head and jaw pain, many doctors and dentists are unable to correctly diagnose and treat TMD patients. As a result, many chronic pain sufferers end up giving up and suffering with their symptoms while adjusting and limiting their quality of life to manage the intensity and frequency of pain. But most often, TMD, migraines and head pain are all related to the way your TMJ and jaw align, and diagnosing this misalignment is the key to proper treatment and resolution of symptoms.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
A dentist trained in this area can help determine whether your pain is related to your jaw alignment, discuss treatment options, and provide a treatment plan that leads to elimination or reduction of symptoms and management longterm. This is a field of dentistry known as Neuromuscular Dentistry, and a dentist with training in this field can help you determine, understand, and treat your TMD.
How is the Initial Diagnosis Made?
Neuromuscular Dentistry is based on establishing a balance between the muscles of the head and neck, the temporo-mandibular joints, and the teeth. Modern neuromuscular dentistry utilizes various methods and technology to help diagnose and establish a healthy bite and jaw position. This can include one or more of the following:
1. Occlusal Forces Bite Scan – A sensor known as the T-Scan is a tool used to restore quality of life in patients whose bite contributes to pain, discomfort, jaw misalignment, bite issues, or over-adjusted dental work. T-Scan provides dynamic occlusal (bite) measurement, revealing the level, timing, and percentage of force on individual teeth, as well as the occlusal stability of the overall bite. A T-Scan allows a visual recording, over time, that shows exactly where the teeth are touching, how bite forces are distributed, and where tooth contact is lacking, which is key to establishing a balanced, healthy, comfortable occlusion (bite).
2. Electromyography – A sensor, known as M-Scan, measures muscle activity and allows us to quickly and easily compare bilateral muscles for symmetry of function. The M-Scan shows the microvolt levels for each muscle contraction, as well as the difference between the left and the right side. This type of scan is known as Surface Electromyography (sEMG) and it allows us to measure the activity and reactions of muscles of the head and neck.
3. Ultra low frequency TENS therapy – To relax the muscles of your head and neck and then measure muscle activity, jaw movements, and joint in order to establish an ideal healthy bite position. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and this allows for a gentle signal to be sent to the facial muscles in order to relax them and allow your jaw to briefly move into its ideal position, which is recorded and used to help diagnose and treat your condition.
The TENS is used for 45 minutes to an hour to create relaxation of the head and neck muscles that are tense and in spasm, which is the primary cause of TMD pain. Once pulsed relaxation is established, a TENS bite is recorded along with other information in order to diagnose, determine a treatment plan, and establish an ideal bite position, in order to reduce and eliminate TMD symptoms. This bite is the key to the first phase of therapy, in cases where the patient has lost vertical height due to wear or grinding.
4. Digital Scan – During your initial Records Appointment, scans of your teeth will also be done with a digital scanner in order to record a 3- dimensional image of your teeth. Together with the TENS bite and other measurements and data collected, these scans are then placed on an articulator, which is a dental device that helps us determine the misalignment in 3 dimensions and come up with treatment options.
After reviewing all the data and information collected, a consultation to discuss results and possible treatment options will be scheduled. Since each pain patient is different, and each case can have a multitude of various components that contribute to pain and other symptoms, treatment options can vary widely.