TMJ

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)

When the muscles of the head and neck are not in a rested and relaxed position, it can be caused by a misaligned bite (malocclusion of teeth), an over closed lower jaw (too close to the upper jaw), excessive or natural wear of the teeth due to clenching or grinding, missing teeth, and more. This can trigger different levels of pain, soreness, stiffness and discomfort in those areas. Lack of muscle synchronization that is stressed during jaw movement can send a message to the nervous system that teeth, gums, and muscles are out of balance.

The art and science that treats pain and corrects this unbalance is called Neuromuscular Dentistry. The masticatory muscles, teeth, and the TMJ (Temporo Mandibular Joint) must function in an optimal relaxed position. A neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Dao Kim Pham-Nguyen can determine a proper resting jaw position that positively affects the muscles of the face, neck, head, teeth, and joints.

TMD SYMPTOMS: (Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction)

  • TMJ Facial Pain
  • Migraine headaches, shoulder and neck ache
  • Chipping, worn down or broken teeth
  • Nocturnal bruxism or teeth grinding
  • Clicking sound or sharp pain in the joints
  • Pain and tenderness around the jaw
  • Difficult movement, tenderness & locking jaw
  • Ear congestion & ringing or pressure behind the eyes
  • Numbness in your arms and fingers

PATIENTS

People that suffer the TMD (Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction) syndrome are not alone. This chronic dysfunction affects 40 million people in many different ways and occasions. It is a chronic degenerative disease that can take years to develop. Patients must be comforted that many of these pain suffers have been successfully treated. Chronic pain can be managed. The success rate for this basic noninvasive approach is 75% to 90%. We can help many patients that were previously unable to find relief.

THERAPY

TMD, or TMJ disorder treatment, is challenging for doctors and patients. The initial therapy is noninvasive, reversible and provides valuable information to diagnose and relieve discomfort and pain. Occlusal splints called Orthosis (e.g. night guards) are fabricated to position the jaw in the most optimal situation allowing muscle relaxation in the head and neck. This zone of comfortable bite is determined by the use of a low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS), which is also a valuable technology used to relieve pain. In addition, sophisticated computerized instrumentation like Electromyography (EMG) can measure muscle activity and dysfunction. Dr. Dao Kim Pham-Nguyen also employs use of Computerized Jaw Tracking Instrumentation and Sonography (SONO), a technology used to record jaw joint sounds. This advance in TMJ treatment allows Dr. Dao Kim Pham-Nguyen to document, diagnose, and treat complex pain conditions, as well as find proper jaw posture to restore the bite to normal, comfortable function in areas that exhibit TMJ problems.

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