How to Choose a TMJ Dentist

Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Lighthouse Point, Florida

Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ, can cause a lifetime of chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms. It is sometimes poorly understood by physicians and dentists because of a lack of training in the specifics of this disorder that affects millions of Americans. Therefore, TMJ often goes misdiagnosed and even some dentists who do look for and detect TMJ are not properly trained and equipped to fully diagnose and effectively treat the condition. Only a neuromuscular dentist, such as Dr. John G. Sarris, is qualified to treat TMJ.

When to Seek a TMJ Dentist

TMJ causes a variety of symptoms, some of which are very painful. Many patients do not even realize that their symptoms are caused by a misaligned jaw, which is exactly what TMJ is. TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint itself. It is time to look for a TMJ dentist if you have dental symptoms including:

  • Tooth pain
  • Loose teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Worn teeth
  • Chipped teeth
  • Crumbling teeth
  • Restorations such as fillings or crowns that continually fail and have to be replaced

Symptoms of TMJ not usually considered “dental” include:

  • Tooth grinding
  • Snoring
  • Headaches
  • Facial pain
  • Neck and back pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
  • Difficulty fully opening your mouth
  • Ringing ears
  • Congested ears
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Poor posture

What to Look for in a TMJ Dentist

When choosing a TMJ dentist it is very important that you choose an expertly trained neuromuscular dentist.

TMJ is becoming a more well-known problem, and some general dentists are learning to recognize it and attempt treatment. Some of these treatments may be effective for some people, but general dentists are not trained in the complex relationship between the muscles, nerves, and joints in your mouth. In order to properly diagnose and treat TMJ, your dentist must have this education and the advanced technology required to put that knowledge to use.

General dentists are trained to address the teeth and jaw joint but not the muscles and nerves. When you do find the rare traditional dentist who treats TMJ, the diagnosis may be incomplete and the treatment does not always truly accomplish proper bite alignment which is necessary for your long-term dental health.

Dr. Sarris is a graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), the world’s premiere post-graduate educational facility for neuromuscular and cosmetic dentists.

If you are looking for a TMJ dentist in the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Florida area, please contact John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A. Family Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry to schedule your consultation today.

 

Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483