Are Your Headaches Caused by TMJ Disorder?

Millions of Americans suffer from headaches. Each year, more people are misdiagnosed and the source of their headaches remains undetected. Frequently, a jaw joint disorder or jaw alignment is the culprit of constant neck pain and chronic headaches. If you are experiencing headaches more than once a month you may be experiencing TMJ symptoms.

People who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines are often surprised to find relief in TMJ treatments. TMJ remedies work for these patients because numerous migraine symptoms are the same as TMJ symptoms. Some identical symptoms include: resistance to over-the-counter medications, neck pain, sensitivity to light, dizziness, tension in the head, jaw, shoulders, and neck.

So how do you know if you have TMJ?

Statistically, most TMJ sufferers are female and their TMJ symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed as migraines. Their painful symptoms are sometimes masked but the source of the pain is not treated because it is not diagnosed properly. The pain TMJ sufferers experience often begins in the jaw joint, neck, ear, temple area, and shoulders. Over time, the actual jaw joint can collect debris and damage may occur. Other symptoms, such as muscle stiffness can limit a person's range of motion in the jaw. When this occurs, people often describe their TMJ as "locked jaw". This can be accompanied by a clicking or popping sound or even lead to hearing problems.

Migraines and headaches related to TMJ are typically moderate to severe in pain and people experience severe pain around the entire head, neck, or behind the eyes, around the jaw joint and ears. If you occasionally experience one of these symptoms you do not need to panic. However, if you frequently feel these symptoms, once or more times a month then you should seek proper medical attention to address your potential TMJ.

When you see Dr. Farnad for your TMJ consultation, he will review your migraine and headache history, in addition to a full medical evaluation. At this time, he will also create a treatment plan specifically designed to treat the actual problem, not just mask the symptoms. There are numerous affective TMJ treatments that will greatly reduce your migraine and headache pain.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Farnad, call (310)276-5300.

Have questions? The TMJ Doctor is happy to answer them, just email dr.fariborzfarnad@gmail.com

421 N. Rodeo Dr. #T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310)276-5300

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.facebook.com/bhcomfs

TMJ Specialist for Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas

Splint Therapy for TMJ

Is Splint Therapy Your Friend or Your Foe?

Did you know that splint therapy is the most popular and most misused treatment of TMJ? For some a splint is their friend, however, for many people a splint does not relieve pain or TMJ symptoms.

TMJ Disorders are usually accompanied with other problems such as muscle contractions, headaches, and jaw pain. Splints themselves cannot relieve this type of pain and physical therapy is often a helpful treatment.

So why do we use splint therapy? It stabilizes the relationship between the jaw and the joint, or in medical terminology the condyle-fossa and the joint.

Some things you may want to ask your dentist, is what type of splint he/she uses? Hard splints are preferable because they do not move the teeth. Upper splints are also preferred because they provide full arch support and anterior guidance. They are effective in relieving muscle soreness because of the change in teeth contact proprioception. Unfortunately, 15% of patients will resume para-functioning, meaning they will return to old habits of grinding.

Rotational appliances can also be used and can be an effective treatment for Bruxism, grinding, and clenching. These appliances can alter muscular proprioception. These splints are used on the upper teeth, are made of hard acrylic, and should be in conjunction with physical therapy.

Rotational splints are broken up into two categories: Type A and Type B. That doesn't mean different personality types receive different guards. However, they do address different jaw behavioral tendencies. Type A splints are night guards, they are Bruxism(grinding) appliances, and are best for occlusal interference cases. Type B are rotational, are thicker, better for deep bites and assist in restoring proper vertical dimension. These should be worn day, night, and during meals. Type B appliances are used long term over a course of 6-9 months.

There are also Type C splints which are used as a re-positioning appliance. This appliance decreases adverse loading forces in osteoarthritis or other arthritic disorders with decreased joint space. Much like Type B, these are worn during meals and worn day and night. However, this splint is only worn as long as needed and then you have to switch back to an A or B splint.

The TMJ A,B,C's are not for every patient because as previously mentioned, 15% go back to grinding and clenching and they can still experience their painful TMJ symptoms. More importantly, splints only address some TMJ symptoms and causes. This means numerous patients are given treatment that will not address their individual TMJ. For example, if the disc is not properly aligned or their is too much scar tissue and debris around the joint a splint is not going to alleviate the painful TMJ symptoms the individual is experiencing. Instead, there are other treatments that will be of greater assistance and value, such as arthrocentesis and arthroscopy.

For more information about what TMJ treatment is right for you, call our office for a consultation 

(310)276-5300 or toll free (866)DOC-4TMJ. 

Dr. Fariborz Farnad, DMD

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com

Is Your Clicking or Popping Jaw Common?

Do you experience a popping, grating, or clicking sound? The good news is you're not alone! Many people have minor jaw joint problems. Not everyone who experiences occasional clicking or popping sounds has TMJ.

The proper word for a popping, clicking, or grating sound around the jaw joint is Crepitus. A study released by Dr. Woelfel, discussed in Woelfel's Dental Anatomy, conducted from 1970 to 1986, studying over 1000 jaws of dental and hygiene students to determine how common jaw popping/crepitus was. Dr. Woelfel examined each student. He discovered that over 60% of students had no popping or clicking when they opened their mouth fully and under 40% of students had clicking or popping when they opened their mouth. By the sounds of this study, clicking and popping is pretty common!

What do these sounds mean? It means if the clicking and popping is really disruptive, constant, or painful then you should see a professional for proper TMJ diagnosis and treatment. There are numerous forms of conservative treatments that you can do at home. To learn more about what you can do at home, see our last post: http://thetmjdoctor.blogspot.com/2013/08/tips-tricks-for-tmj.html or visit our website: http://www.thetmjdoctor.com/#!life-with-tmj/cwcs.

To schedule a consultation call us at (310)276-5300 or toll free (855)276-5300

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com

BOTOX for TMJ?

Many of our patients suffer from tremendous TMJ pain and we want to offer them minimally invasive solutions that really work. Botox has been made famous for preventing and minimizing wrinkles. However, one of its greatest and lesser known attributes is that it is an effective treatment for TMJ.

First, you need to be properly assessed for TMJ by a doctor that truly understands jaw mobility and TMJ dysfunction.  Not only do you want to see someone with expertise in TMJ but in using Botox for treating TMJ specifically.

Botox treatment for TMJ takes about 10-20 minutes, depending on how much the patient needs for their individual symptoms. The number of treatments depends on how each patient reacts to the Botox, which lasts about 3-4 months. Many people feel better after 3 treatments because the muscle gets smaller and allows the patient to break habits, such as grinding and repetitive clenching. Often times, Botox is an excellent way to manage painful flair ups and chronic pain without having a surgical procedure.

Much like any other medical procedure, Botox does have risks and benefits. However, it is very safe and the most common side effects are temporary bruising, numbness, slight swelling, and redness. Any potential risks and side effects are minimal and do not last very long.

To see if Botox is the right type of treatment for your TMJ or jaw pain, contact our office for a complimentary TMJ consulation. Dr. Farnad has a holistic approach to treating TMJ. He will review your entire medical health history, discuss your current sleeping habits, stress levels, and overall health. After proper diagnosis, he will determine how many units of Botox will effectively treat your TMJ and jaw pain. Not only will Dr. Farnad call you the evening of your procedure to check in on you, but he will want to see you one to two weeks afterwards to attentively follow your treatment, ensuring the best results and care.

To schedule your consultation, call our office at (310)276-5300.

This video is a wonderful demonstration of what Botox can do to help your TMJ symptoms:

To schedule a consultation call us at (310)276-5300 or toll free (855)276-5300

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com