Plano TMJ Dentist

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you are experiencing slight to severe discomfort and/or pain in your jaw and surrounding areas. In and around your jaw, your head and neck or even in your ears (including ringing in your ears, called tinnitus) – this type of discomfort and chronic pain can be, and is often, caused by various complications involving your Temporomandibular Joints. (Most commonly known as your jaw joints!)

Quick fact
Often times, many people refer to this condition as TMJ - when in fact they are really referring to the physical Temporomandibular Joint itself, rather than the actual condition TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

Why may I be having TMJ problems?
The causes of these issues with your TMJ can be broken down into a simple list for you to understand what you may be facing:

1. Trauma
   Vehicle accidents, sporting activities or even your baby bumping his/her head against yours can be causes of force related symptoms in the head, neck and jaw. The list of causes of trauma is long. Current symptoms may have been created years ago by an event long since forgotten or dismissed as minor. Head, neck or jaw trauma can cause stretching or tearing of the ligaments and muscles along with other unseen and often undiagnosed force imbalances and impairments.
2. Disease
   Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder involving progressive loss of cartilage and formation of new bone at a joint’s surface, causing stiffness and pain.
3. Wear and tear – aging
   As the body ages, so does the bite. Natural teeth wear at different rates from the dental work utilized on many patients. Fillings and crowns for example can be made from amalgam, precious metals, ceramics, etc. The different materials within your mouth can cause improper alignment of the teeth and forces the muscles and tendons to work harder to compensate for the imbalances. As we age, joints and cartilage also are reduced in thickness changing angles and forces within the overall dentomandibular region. As you grow older, your teeth and bite change, potentially causing many of the symptoms which can be treated.
4. Habits
   If you are leading a stress free life, congratulations, you are less likely to have force related symptoms in your head, neck and jaw. For the other 99% of the world, stress and poor posture (such as from sitting in front of a computer for hours) can result in many of the symptoms outlined above. Weight gain and improper eating habits can also contribute to your head, neck and jaw pain.

TMD Diagnosis, TMJ Therapy & Treatment

Our program at Star Ranch Dental in Plano utilizes the latest equipment and technologies available to patients suffering from TMJ disorder today. Dr. Barnett places a high focus on TMJ disorder, and ways to help patients cope with the associated pain and discomfort. We do not feel that prescribing pain medicine is the way to fix or cure a patient with TMD. Dr. Barnett looks at the whole mouth and other factors they may relate to the patient’s TMJ problems (TMD).
If you feel like you may be suffering from TMJ disorder (TMD) the first step is to schedule a TMJ Therapy consult with Dr. Barnett. This will include a head and neck exam, panoramic x-ray, computerized bite analysis, range of motion assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan.

In less than five minutes when using our technology, we can determine whether your symptoms may be the result of forces from the nerves, muscles and ligaments. The painless, computer guided analysis measures bite force and jaw action while in motion, a true and telling movie of your bite in process! The resulting digital, graphic report literally will show you where there may be abnormal forces or imbalances which could be the cause of certain symptoms. The technology is so advanced that it actually determines and calculates the bite force and motion on an individual, tooth by tooth basis and the timing of those forces!

We will also measure your head and neck’s lateral and vertical motions. This analysis provides an immediate report of any movement impairment, which may also indicate potential sources of pain or discomfort. Dr. Barnett will then complete a comprehensive physical exam of the head, neck, mouth, teeth and muscles to assist in developing a final diagnosis. At the completion of the exam, we will then be able to describe a pathway to care which will provide a lasting resolution to resolve your TMJ disorder symptoms.

Key parts of our TMJ therapy program include:

• Ultrasound TMJ therapy which helps bring the blood circulation back into the strained or sore muscles and will increase blood flow.

• Hands on massage with the use of MSM lotion. Pressure will be applied to pain trigger points.

• Alpha-Stim treatment, which is a micro-current unit that focuses on the trigger points again by going directly to the nerve to release the muscles. It’s like acupuncture but without needles! Learn more about this technology!

• Cold laser treatment, which will decrease pain and inflammation while speeding up the recovery process by 25 to 35%

You don’t have to live with the symptoms of TMJ disorder. Call us today to schedule a consultation. Don’t delay – most of our TMJ patients feel drastically improved after only their first treatment! Treatment for TMJ disorder may be covered by your medical insurance – we can provide you with the information needed to file.

Star Ranch Dental in Plano, TX offers TMJ treatments to patients in Plano, Frisco, and all of North Dallas.

Below is a graphic explaining how the TMJ works: