Dentistry in Omaha, NE
General & Preventive Dentistry
TMJ Therapy/Neuromuscular Dentistry
Migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, clicking and popping in the jaw, and tinnitus (ringing of the ears) can indicate a neuromuscular condition called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or TMD. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, we encourage you to attend a TMJ evaluation. Dr. Stanosheck will assess your mouth and jaw to determine the cause of your discomfort, then prescribe customized, non-surgical treatment to deliver well-deserved relief.
TMJ disorder is commonly misdiagnosed because most people (including many doctors) aren't familiar with the condition and its associated symptoms. Dr. Stano's advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry enables him to effectively treat TMJ sufferers. Our neuromuscular dentistry treatments can provide a permanent, effective solution to end nagging pain.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Some common symptoms of TMJ disorder are:
Headaches – There are many types of headaches, including sinus, cluster, tension, and migraine. Tension headaches are the most common and account for 90% of all headaches. This type of headache is often felt in the forehead. If headaches occur only occasionally, they can typically be controlled with pain medication. Headaches that persist, including chronic migraines, may indicate TMJ dysfunction and require intervention from a dentist skilled in treating TMJ-related pain.
Facial Pain – According to the American Dental Association, 15% of Americans suffer from chronic facial pain. Muscles constantly under stress from a misaligned bite can cause the face and jaw joint to become sore. If the bite is not corrected, the muscles may remain sore for a long period of time. These tense muscles don't get a chance to rest and receive the proper circulation. Lack of oxygen and accumulation of metabolic waste can cause facial discomfort.
Clicking, Popping, or Grinding in the Jaw Joint – If your jaw clicks or pops, or if you hear a grinding noise when you open or close your mouth, your TMJ joint may be damaged. Bite misalignment can injure the joint and associated disk.
Broken, Worn, Chipped, or Loose Teeth – Abnormal tension and spasms in the muscles of the head and neck can cause you to grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism. Many times this grinding happens at night, and patients are unaware that it occurs. Bruxism not only damages the teeth and jaw joints, it can dramatically impact sleep patterns.
Ear Congestion or Ringing in the Ears – Constant muscle spasms in the head and neck caused by bite misalignment can cause constriction of the Eustachian tube. You may experience ringing, dullness, or hollow sounds in the ears.
Other symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Limited opening and closing of the mouth
- Dizziness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tender or sensitive teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Unexplained neck, shoulder, jaw, facial, or lower back pain
- Posture problems
- Dental sensitivity to heat and cold
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Bell's Palsy
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
Neuromuscular Dentistry
Often, correcting a misaligned bite alleviates TMJ-related symptoms, including facial pain and chronic migraine headaches. Effective treatment begins with eliminating muscle tension and spasms, repositioning the jaw with advanced technology and therapy, and permanently placing the jaw in its ideal resting position. Dr. Stanosheck is one of few dentists in Omaha who uses neuromuscular dentistry and state-of-the-art technology to successfully treat TMJ disorder and associated symptoms.
The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is to adjust bite alignment and jaw position for optimal comfort and function. Following neuromuscular treatment, many patients report relief from chronic pain almost immediately.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Stanosheck uses modern technology to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder, including:
Sonography – to determine the frequency and amount of noise that TMJ joints produce.
Electromyography (with a K-7 computerized mandibular scanning unit) – to accurately record the electrical output of jaw muscles in motion and at rest.
Jaw Tracking – to track and record, along with the K-7, the optimal jaw trajectory during work and rest.
Tomography or MRI – to determine proper positioning before and/or after treatment. In conjunction with the K-7, this technology also illustrates the condition of the jaw joints.
TENS – to relax jaw muscles and encourages them to settle into their ideal resting state. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation. Dr. Stanosheck uses information from the TENS unit to establish optimal alignment for targeted treatment. TENS can also deliver drug-free relief from muscle pain.
After gathering information about the condition of your jaw joints and establishing ideal positioning, Dr. Stanosheck can custom-fit a neuromuscular orthotic, or oral appliance, specifically for your unique needs. This comfortable device repositions the jaw to ease stressed muscles and promote healing in the joints and muscles. Most patients report immediate relief of symptoms following neuromuscular orthotic therapy.
Once your TMJ joints achieve optimal function, Dr. Stanosheck may recommend permanent jaw re-alignment through bite adjustments, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and/or orthodontics to maintain your new, relaxed, and healthy jaw function.
Call The Smile Design Studio today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Stanosheck. Our Omaha dental office provides leading-edge dentistry for life-changing smiles.
