TMJ – Symptoms and Treatment Information – Orange County

When the muscles of the head and neck are not in a rested and relaxed position, it can be caused by a misaligned bite, 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. Siles can determine a proper resting jaw position that positively affects the muscles of the face, neck, head, teeth, and joints.

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 treatments are 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. Siles 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. Siles 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.

Conclusions

This therapeutic modality of Neuromuscular Dentistry can enhance your life and help eliminate pain in your head, neck and shoulders. The use of splint therapy Orthosis is defined as "The art and science of establishing neuromuscular harmony in the masticatory system". An appropriate Orthosis will protect and increase the longevity of your teeth and restorations, placing the jaw into an optimal physiologic rest position, relaxing the muscles, reducing spasm and stress and allowing the dentist to diagnose and treat the dysfunction.

We encourage you to discuss with us how the neuromuscular approach and treatment can improve and enhance your quality of life.

back to top

If you are suffering from the symptoms of TMJ, contact our Orange County practice today.

Have a look at some of the beautiful smiles Dr. Siles has created using the Smile Design Principles in our Cosmetic Dentistry Before & After Gallery.

>>view results

We are proud to provide our patients with the advanced state of the art Triangle Steri-Center built for convenience and efficiency created exclusively for the dental industry. The highly sophisticated Steri-Center has standardized sterilization processes that assure our patients their health and safety is our number one concern.