TMJ Solutions Brick Township

TMJ disorders can be a family of problems related to your jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Tortora can help you have a healthier, more comfortable jaw, with his TMJ Treatment.

How do I know if my problem could be from TMJ?

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Primary signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders:

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.

TMJ Treatment

There are various treatment options for TMJ that Dr. Tortora can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Dr. Tortora will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care combined with professional care.

The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasms and joint pain, by reducing the inflammation in and around the joint. This is usually accomplished with a combination of treatments/therapies, which can often be effective and include:

Appliance Therapy
Physical Therapy
Applying ice and heat
Avoiding completely:
1. Hard or crunchy foods as in raw carrot and almonds
2. Chewy/Sticky things
3. No wide opening, For Examples: Do not bite directly into a sub sandwich or an Apple; cut them up
4. No pulling or tearing your food
5. Support your jaw with hand when need to yawn

Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a TMJ orthotic. This appliance fits over your top teeth and helps keep your teeth slightly seperated, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A nightguard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night. It also helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relieves pressure on parts of your jaw, and aids in disk repositioning. It may be worn 24 hours/day to help your jaw heal. An orthotic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day, or just at night, to move your jaw into proper position. Appliances also help protect tooth wear. Dr. Tortora will determine which treatment is right for you!

Why can’t I just buy a mouth-guard at the store?

A store bought mouth-guard is not a solution. Here’s why.

Only a professional made guard can be adjusted to work properly. Imbalances in a store bought guard may or may not relieve pain, but it can mask or add to the underlying problem. This will lead to more serious problems later on.
They will absorb more bacteria, potentially affecting gums and general health.
Store bought will need to be replaced very often with multiple pay outs. A professional one will last 5 years in most cases.
Store bought appliances are “standard” and not customized to your teeth and your specific needs.

How much will TMJ treatment cost me?

A primary consultation is recommended to confirm TMJ disease and discuss possible treatment options. Your first appointment includes an initial exam and estimate for treatment. Prior to your appointment we will gather your insurance information to help estimate expected insurance reimbursements, and your out-of-pocket costs. Typically most insurance companies exclude TMJ services. However, we are always trying to make costs manageable for every patient, and will strive to help you get as much coverage as possible in the treatment time frame. Payment plans, at 0% financing, are available at the office as well.

What about bite correction or surgery?

If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together you may need treatment such as a bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options, such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring, are sometimes needed, but are reserved for severe cases. Dr. Tortora does not recommend TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and non-reducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.