TMJ/TMD Treatment Near Briarcliff Manor, NY
Get Relief From Painful Symptoms
TMJ Disorder, also known as TMD, is a condition that afflicts many people on a daily basis. Some TMJ conditions are more severe than others. Common indications of TMJ include but are not limited to frequent headaches, painful clicking and popping of the jaw joints, limited range of opening, “locked” open or closed sensations, and pain in the chewing muscles around the head and neck. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to relay this information to our team at The Center For Holistic Dentistry. Dr. Lerner will assess any symptoms and recommend appropriate therapies that can improve TMJ symptoms. We have helped many of our patients with TMJ treatment near Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Alternative Therapies & Testing Methods
Dr. Lerner’s approach includes using alternative therapies and testing methods not regularly associated with a dental office. In addition to his 40 years of experience with TMJ disorder treatment, Dr. Lerner and our team have taken extensive training at the Las Vegas Institute in Physiologic Dentistry and Cranial Facial Orthopedics and Orthodontics.
Dr. Lerner also has years of experience using Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, and Cranial Sacral therapy. Through this training, he has helped many patients who have suffered pain and disability before finding their way to The Center for Holistic Dentistry.
Dr. Lerner shares his personal struggle with jaw pain associated with TMJ complications and his unique approach to treating it.
What Is TMJ?
The letters “TMJ” stand for temporomandibular joint, the joint found in front of the ear that connects the jawbone to the skull. But, often, the term “TMJ” is used to describe a broader condition that may involve strain and lack of balance within the muscles of the jaw and neck as well as the bones of the skull and face. This is more accurately described as TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder.
The effects of TMD can affect the function of your entire body. This diffusion of symptoms is one of the reasons TMJ disorders are so often overlooked and misdiagnosed. We have seen many cases in which the correction of the underlying jaw problem has led to the relief of chronic back problems, breathing problems, difficulty walking, foot problems, digestive issues, fatigue, and generalized stress.
We recently had a patient who came in with a toothache. After a thorough exam, we determined the pain was caused by her bite putting too much pressure on her tooth. We made her a simple bite support to keep pressure off the sore tooth. The next week she came back to see us, grateful for the relief of her toothache, and even better, she said that wearing the bite support had given her relief of severe and debilitating back pain. She had been at her wit’s end with the back pain and had been told by doctors that only surgery offered hope of relief.
Do I Have TMJ Dysfunction?
When the TM joint is not working properly, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Popping or clicking and/or pain as you open and close your mouth
- Pain in your jaw muscles as you chew and even when at rest
- Ear symptoms (ear pain, stuffiness or itching, loss of hearing, dizziness, tinnitus)
- Eye symptoms (pain in or behind the eyes, blurring of vision)
- Pain in a tooth or sensitivity of the teeth
- Chronic headache or migraine
- Pain anywhere in the face, head, or neck
- Stiff neck
- Low back pain
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
How Is TMJ/TMD Corrected?
If you are suffering from symptoms commonly associated with TMJ/TMD, Dr. Lerner will begin with a thorough consultation and a comprehensive examination.
During your examination, he will evaluate the sites of your pain and the functional integration of related body systems using muscle reflex assessment of your acupuncture meridians. He will perform a thorough analysis of the physiology of your bite, the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), and your jaw muscles. He will also perform a computerized neuromuscular analysis of your jaw function using the Biopak Jaw Diagnostic System, as well as a T-Scan analysis of the distribution of bite forces on your teeth. Plaster models of your teeth will be formed to help us understand how your bite may contribute to your condition. Using a Cone Beam x-ray, he will create a 3D picture of your jaw structures including the TM Joint, your sinuses, and your airway.
Once your analysis is complete, treatment with bite appliances (Orthotics) will provide an optimal physiological position to stabilize your bite, relax and balance your jaw muscles, and by extension, the muscles throughout your body. Two different appliances will be used: one for use during the day and another at night.
TMJ/TMD treatment with gentle pain-relieving techniques drawn from Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, and Cranial‑Sacral Therapy will be used as needed. When appropriate, we provide TMJ treatments with moist heat packs and cold laser therapy.
Once your pain is relieved, we will explore options to fix the underlying issues in your bite. This might involve adjusting the shape of your teeth so they fit better, building up your teeth to provide better support, function, and esthetics, or possibly correcting issues of poor jaw development and misaligned teeth with Integrative Functional Orthodontics. Our goal is to bring the TM joint and the muscles of your jaw into a comfortable, healthy balance. Many of our patients have improper posture and function of their tongue and lips and benefit from Myofunctional Therapy to correct this.
Further treatment from either an osteopath, a chiropractor, or a physical therapist may be necessary during this time to ensure that your neck and spine are also brought into proper alignment. Once comfort and balance have been achieved, it may be appropriate to discuss the correction of your bite with either orthodontics and/or restorative dentistry.
“I thought everyone had headaches… it was uncomfortable for me to smile because of the tension I had in my jaw,” says Dr. Lerner. “After seeking help from dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and osteopaths, I finally came upon the solution to my problems. This has led me to develop my own system of treatment, individualized for each patient in a manner appropriate for them. The system simply does not treat everyone in the same way.”
– Dr. Lerner
Learn More About TMJ/TMD Treatment Near Briarcliff Manor, NY
To experience our exceptional dental care, schedule your New Patient Exam by calling 914-245-4041 or by clicking here. Your appointment includes a comprehensive review of your health history and concerns; an evaluation of your teeth, bite, gums, and airway passage; low-radiation digital x-rays; and a discussion of your options with a personalized treatment plan. We look forward to meeting you!
As the premier holistic dental practice in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and the Hudson Valley Region., our dentist and team at The Center For Holistic Dentistry also provide 5-star dental care to patients from White Plains, Cortlandt Manor, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Briarcliff Manor & Westchester County, N.Y., and the surrounding areas.