Frequent headaches are frustrating, painful, and distracting. Headaches can prevent you from maximizing work performance or enjoying social interactions. You may have tried various treatments, but have you asked your dentist about TMJ?
TMJ disorder, or TMD, causes headaches, migraines, ringing in the ears, facial pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. TMJ (the temporomandibular joint) attaches the lower jawbone to the rest of the skull. When the TMJ is affected for any reason, jawbone function is impaired and troublesome symptoms arise.
Dr. Ollech and our team know that TMD is a hidden problem for millions of adults. We have successfully relieved headaches and other symptoms for countless patients with our innovative treatment methods.
Each case of TMD is different and requires an individualized treatment plan. Dr. Ollech uses a thorough and careful diagnostic process to determine what is needed for each patient. Some of the modalities used are:
Splint Therapy
You can take your jaw to a healthier place by wearing a custom-fit splint. Splints can reduce nighttime tooth grinding or other habits, or they can gently reposition your jaw to improve your bite. Splint therapy will take stress off of the overworked jaw muscles and can reduce your pain and other symptoms.
This therapy is similar to oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea, which is very comfortable and effective. If you’re interested in oral appliances for sleep apnea, check out our sleep apnea page.
Ultrasound
Are you experiencing severe TMJ pain? Ultrasound therapy delivers soothing heat deeply into the tissues using sound waves. This treatment increases blood flow to the muscles, brings down inflammation, and promotes healing.
Microcurrent Therapy
Microcurrent therapy uses extremely low-level electrical currents to treat nerve and muscle pain. It restores normal frequencies within muscle cells, creating better conditions for tissue repair. This leads to enhancement of blood flow, reduced inflammation. When this method is used on your pain trigger points, the healing effect will result in a decrease in TMJ pain and an increase in range of motion.
Occlusion Analysis: T Scan
Our specialized technology is specific to the intricate anatomy of the head and neck! T Scan measures the intricate details of bite force and timing for each of your individual teeth. With this information, Dr. Ollech can properly analyze and, if necessary, adjust your bite to promote balance and decrease discomfort.
Botox Therapy
Carefully determined Botox injections address the spasms in your tired muscles around the jaw, giving them a much-needed break. When the tension is gone, your symptoms will disappear, too! After several Botox treatments, having given the muscles time to heal themselves, many patients find that their muscle spasms are gone.
Botox is indicated as a treatment for migraines as well as for breaking up trigger points in your muscles that may be sending pain signals to your head, neck, and jaw.
Let Dental Design of Rockland Change Your Story!
If you are suffering from headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, or other TMJ symptoms, it’s time to tell your story to the caring team at Dental Design of Rockland.
Discuss your symptoms with Dr. Ollech so that she can help you find TMJ relief. It’s never too late for your happily ever after. Call today!
