F.A.Q.

TMD is a condition in which the hard and soft tissues of your jaw are not working in harmony. The muscles try to pull the jaw into a different position than it naturally rests in, or pulls it out of position as it moves through its normal range of movement. Even when you think you’re not working them, your jaw muscles are waging a constant battle against your jaw and teeth. The impact on your jaw can be pain, sticking in position, clicking, and worn or damaged teeth. But the effects go far beyond there. Because the jaw muscles work in concert with the neck muscles to hold the spine upright, you might suffer misaligned cervical vertebrae and pinched nerves. Sometimes, this effect can spread to the rest of the body. Your jaw muscles can also dramatically impact local nerves and blood vessels, especially the trigeminal nerve, a crucial nerve that is commonly cited as the origin of migraine headaches.

A neuromuscular dentist is trained in the treatment of not just the teeth in your mouth, but in the full system of hard and soft tissue that makes up your mouth. This includes the jawbone and muscles that are often to blame for TMD. Neuromuscular dentists have the tools to diagnose TMD scientifically, using jaw tracking, electromyography, and electrosonography. By creating a comprehensive picture of the hard and soft tissue in your jaw, a neuromuscular dentist can help you understand the extent of your TMD and design a comprehensive treatment plan.

At Miami Designer Smiles, both of our dentists have received extensive training in neuromuscular dentistry at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). They have helped many patients in the Miami area to receive relief from neuromuscular dental problems, including TMD.

Video courtesy of Marina Del Rey Dentist, Dr. Scott Tamura Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TMJ disorder) is condition occurring when your temporomandibular joint, the joint connecting your jaw to your skull, becomes misaligned. TMJ disorder can result in chronic, debilitating pain. However, the condition is easily treated using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, which focus on bringing your jaw and bite back to its ideal resting position.

There are many factors which may contribute to your developing TMJ disorder. These include:

• Injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles in the head and neck by a blow or impact
• Grinding your teeth
• Dislocation of the disc between the ball and socket of your temporomandibular joint
• Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in your temporomandibular joint
• Stress, causing you to tighten your facial and jaw muscles or clench your teeth

Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Clicking or popping sound when opening and closing your jaw
• Locking jaw, which limits your range of motion
• Difficulty chewing
• Uneven or uncomfortable bite
• Headaches
• Ringing in your ears

Miami neuromuscular dentists Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Conchi Sanchez-Garcia will examine your temporomandibular joint for pain and tenderness, listen for clicking or popping sounds during jaw movement, look for limited range of motion in your jaw, and examine your bite. Sometimes, panoramic x-rays will be taken to provide a more detailed view of your jaw and teeth to rule out other causes of your symptoms. In certain situations, an MRI or CT scan may be ordered as well.

Treatment is different for everyone and depends on the nature and severity of your TMJ disorder. Our Miami neuromuscular dentists will first work to alleviate the pain caused by your TMJ disorder, and then they will correct the underlying issues causing the misalignment of your jaw. Possible treatments may include:

• Pain medication
• Custom bite appliances
• Orthotic mouthpieces
• Orthodontics
• Dental restorations