TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders. TMJ treatment is associated with the relationship of your muscles, joints, and teeth all working together. This is called neuromuscular dentistry. With this type of treatment a variety of symptoms can be treated, including headaches, jaw and joint pain, clicking, popping, ringing in ears, loose teeth, teeth with excessive wear, sensitivity, clenching, grinding, chewing difficulties facial pain, as well as head and neck discomforts.
Treatment involves two phases. Phase I involves finding the comfortable positioning of the muscles, teeth, and joints using a TENS machine. A TENS machine (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) sends gentle electrical stimulation to gently relax your muscles. Once this position is found where the muscles are in harmony, an orthotic is worn. An orthotic is very similar to a retainer. You will have a treatment time outlined individually for you where you will be required to wear the orthotic, during this time it will be determined if this relieves your symptoms.
Once Phase I treatment is complete you can then proceed to Phase II, where you will restore your natural teeth to maintain the new bite position.
