There are a few noted symptoms involved with TMJ disorders, but there are also many variables. Those who suffer from problems with the temporomandibular joint will typically experience some degree of pain, discomfort, or tenderness in the jaw, mouth, or overall head and shoulders area:

• Does your jaw make a clicking or popping sound while you chew?
• Do you wake up in the morning with tenderness or severe pain in your jaw?
• Do you frequently suffer from headaches, a ringing in your ears, pain throughout your shoulders and neck, or perhaps dizziness?

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or TMD.

TMD is a degenerative disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint, the hinge connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the upper jaw and skull. Although TMD is a progressive, often painful, disorder, Dr. Allan Stein and Dr. Ivan F. Stein, expert TMJ dentists in West Orange, can help.

If you suffer from TMD (often referred to as TMJ), you are not alone. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that over 10 million Americans suffer from the disorder.

“The causes of TMJ dysfunction are really quite simple. In short, the teeth just don’t fit together properly so the relationship between the jaw and the joint become misaligned and it becomes extremely painful.“ – Ivan F. Stein, DDS

TMD is caused by stress on the TMJ, often resulting from a misaligned bite or a muscle imbalance. Frequent stress on the temporomandibular joint causes the ligaments in the area to stretch out and the jaw muscles to lengthen or shorten in response to the problem. In turn, this leads to tenderness or pain throughout the jaw, face, head, neck and shoulders. If left untreated, TMD often causes headaches and / or severe migraines.

The factors that put added stress on the TMJ in the first place vary, and may include teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching (possibly as a result of chronic stress), uneven teeth and others.

Common Symptoms of TMD

• Headaches and migraines
• Jaw pain and face pain
• Clicking or popping of jaw joints
• Difficulty opening mouth
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

Dedicated to providing personalized patient care, the team at Headache and TMJ Center of New Jersey uses the latest, most advanced digital diagnostic equipment and evaluation methods to pinpoint your condition and provide the most effective TMJ treatment plan. As pioneers in their field, Dr. Allan Stein and Dr. Ivan Stein and their team have been creating innovative treatment solutions for more than 25 years, so they can eliminate your painful symptoms and restore proper jaw function for overall wellness.

If you are exhibiting TMJ symptoms, contact Headache and TMJ Center of New Jersey today for a free consultation by calling today.

At Headache and TMJ Center of New Jersey, Dr. Allan Stein and Dr. Ivan Stein and their staff specialize in TMJ disorder. They will diagnose your jaw pain and other TMJ symptoms with the use of computer guidance software exclusively developed for the diagnosis of TMD and then propose an effective TMJ treatment plan to help alleviate your discomfort.

After taking a full medical and dental history, a computerized bite analysis is performed that shows the distribution of forces from right side to left, as well as percentage of impact on individual teeth. Additionally, a digital test is administered to analyze the cervical range of motion and determine if any muscular deficiencies exist.

After reviewing the results of the TMJ evaluation a personalized treatment plan is formulated which can include:

• A series of orthotics (or bite guards) to help realign the jaw
• Ultrasound therapy to neutralize the muscles
• Cold laser treatment
• Electrical stimulation (micro-current therapy)
• Botox
• Prolotherapy

The last step is to adjust and equalize the bite. This therapy lasts about an hour per session. Typically, between 3 and 20 sessions are required, depending upon the severity of the TMJ problem.

If you would like to learn more about TMD and treatment options in West Orange, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Allan Stein or Dr. Ivan Stein. Contact Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey by calling today.