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- Headaches are often caused when the teeth and Temporomandibular (TM) joints are not in harmony.
- Headaches are often a result of muscle tension in the muscles of the head. It may NOT be near the teeth, but in the temple area, lower jaw, neck or near the ear. Often patients report waking with headaches, or just not feeling well rested in the morning. Tender, tired, tension, sore are all terms patients use to describe their symptoms.
- Patients often have a click when they open and close their mouth. Sometimes they had a click that went away.
- Headaches are consistently treated with success after a diagnosis is made.
- Headaches can be treated with OUT long term use of drugs.
- Diagnosis involves examination of the teeth, the bite and the TM Joints.
- Not all headaches are from the teeth (only 80-90%) so a complete dental examination is essential.
- Not all denitsts treat TM joint problems, ask your dentist if you are having any signs or symptoms.
But Doctor, I have 'TMJ'... Headaches are often from muscle, while true TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) pain is inside the TM Joint. The difference is something that a skilled dentist can diagnose. We utilize diagnostic skills including Doppler evaluation of the TM joint, JVA (Joint Vibrational Analysis), X-ray, MRI, Tek-Scan II and more. Medical doctors do not evaluate teeth and jaw relationships. MD's, DO's, chiropractors, acupuncturists are good sources for treating headaches that are non-dental in origin. They are often quite good at reducing symptoms, if only for a short time. A cure requires treatment of the CAUSE, not the symptom. It takes a well trained dentist to determine if the teeth are a contributing factor to your headaches! Internally damaged TM joints can get worse if a diagnosis is NOT established first, by a trained dentist. Treatment has to be based on a specific diagnosis. It is NOT good enough to be told; "You have TMJ."
Evaluation and treatment is specific to each patient's situation. Diagnosis can include:
- JVA - Computer Assisted Joint Vibrational Analysis with on screen display of your TMJ condition.
- Computer Assisted Bite Analysis utilizing the Tek Scan 2.
- Doppler Listening to the joint sounds.
- Transcranial TMJ x-ray Films
- MRI - Imaging
Treatment expectations can be discussed after dental history review and examination. The type of treatment will also be different depending on your diagnosis. Treatment can include:
- Bite adjustment, also call equilibration.
- Tooth movement or orthodontics.
- Splint therapy or bite guards including the FDA approved NTI-TSS appliance.
- Reshaping broken or worn teeth with restorations or crowns.
- Jaw surgery to move mis-aligned segments.
- The treatment varies with the diagnosis.
- Diagnosis requires examination.
- Examination requires a phone call!
Learn more about Headaches and the NTI Dental Appliance
Call to get started today!
(772) 878-7348
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