Neuromuscular Dentistry
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida
Questions About TMJ Disorder
What is TMJ disorder? TMJ disorder is a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint). It is a misaligned bite, which causes negative side effects, including:
- Neck and jaw pain Prematurely worn teeth
- Jaw clenching Tooth grinding
- Headaches Difficulty hearing
- Earaches or infections Dizziness
- Popping or clicking in the jaw joints Limited jaw mobility
- Are TMJ and TMD the same disorder?
Strictly speaking, TMJ is not a disorder. It stands for Temporomandibular Joint, the jaw joint. TMD is the acronym for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, and is used widely throughout the neuromuscular dentistry world. However, TMJ is also frequently used to refer to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
How can I determine if I have TMJ disorder? While self-diagnosis is not technically possible, you may have TMJ disorder if you suffer from one or more of the above symptoms. The best way to conclusively discover if you have TMJ disorder is by visiting a neuromuscular dentist, like Dr. John Sarris, who can run a series of tests and determine if your pain is caused by TMJ.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
TMJ disorder is treated by correcting jaw joint alignment. This is done differently for each individual, depending on exactly how the joints are out of alignment and which teeth are misaligned. Dr. Sarris will create a custom treatment plan specifically for you to relieve you from the negative side effects of TMJ disorder.
Does TMJ disorder treatment hurt? Most treatments for TMJ do not hurt. For example, a TENS Unit may be used to send low impulse electricity to the jaw muscles. This is a pleasant and relaxing experience. While there may be some discomfort in certain treatments, you should never experience pain caused by the treatment, and should let Dr. Sarris know immediately if you do. We also offer sedation dentistry to help you feel calm about any procedure.
Who is qualified to treat TMJ disorder?
Only trained and accredited neuromuscular dentists are qualified to treat TMJ disorder. Many dentists may claim they can cure TMJ disorder, and may offer temporary relief, but realigning the jaw joint is a highly specialized task which requires hands-on training, such as is offered at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI).
If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach areas of Florida, please contact Neuromuscular Dentist, Dr. John Sarris today for your complimentary neuromuscular dentistry consultation.
Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483
