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Headaches
are one of the most common symptoms of a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problem.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and the TMJ headache is
a tension type of headache.
The TMJ
headache is often described as a feeling of wearing a hat two sizes too small,
with pain in a ring around the head, or as a migraine headache. There are a few
TMJ-related causes for tension headaches. Constant contraction of muscle fibers
within a muscle, create tension, pressure or a tight feeling in the face and
head, but constant tight muscle fibers prevent or reduce blood flow to that
area. The body sends more blood to the areas and this can result an increase in
general blood pressure to the muscles and head, sometimes referred to as
vascular headaches. Clenching and grinding the teeth, which are TMJ symptoms,
produce pain from the muscles in the head, which is a headache.
Unfortunately, these headaches can be so frequent or severe that they
are frequently misdiagnosed and treated as migraine headaches. The pain from
muscle headaches can be blocked with medications, or nerves cut with brain
surgery or muscles somewhat relaxed with muscle and psychological therapy, but
the cause of the disease and damage is generally from a bad bite or
malocclusion
Medications, complications from brain surgery, and the results with
muscle or psychological therapy do not correct the source of the problem but
simply mitigate the symptoms. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the core issue
frequently causing the problem and ensures the muscles are effectively able
position the jaw and teeth properly avoiding the strained bite. By putting the
temporomandibular joint back into alignment and placing the jaw into its
optimal position, neuromuscular dentistry can alleviate most headache problems
related to TMJ, muscle, nerve and joint disorders. The following are steps that
we apply to correct this problem:
Relieve
Muscle Spasms and Pain - At Defelice Family Dentistry our immediate
concern is to provide relief of your symptoms. An new technology (Ultra Low
Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation) is utilized to relax
muscles with a gentle massage of the muscles. The rhythmic pulsing relaxes the
muscles by increasing blood flow and pumping out waste products. ULF-TENS also
helps with pain relief by stimulating the body’s production of endorphins,
the body’s natural anesthetic.
Stabilize and Correct the Bite - Often for this step a temporary device,
known as an orthotic is worn over the teeth. The orthotic allows us to make
easy adjustments to the plastic without adjusting the teeth until the bite is
stabilized. Once symptoms are relieved and the bite has been stabilized, we
then will move on to the next step and permanently adjust your bite to the
correct position.
Long-term management - There are a variety of ways to correct your bite in
a more permanent way. Four of the most common of these approaches are outlined
below:
-
Coronoplasty/Equilibration - This is the process of smoothing and
reshaping the enamel of the teeth to correct your bite. It is a simple
procedure that does not require anesthesia and can be used when the bite is
only slightly misaligned.
- Removable
Overlay Partials - These are permanent orthotics that usually fit over the
back teeth and are designed to maintain an aligned bite.
-
Reconstruction - This approach involves adjusting the teeth height by using
crowns. This permanently realigns the bite and provides structural support for
the jaw.
At
DeFelice Family Dentistry you will be fully informed of your options and the
investment involved. |
