Please note due to COVID-19, our office has been mandated to close till June 15th

About TMJ/TMD

TMJ conditions and/or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) have been referred to as "the Great Impostor Disease".  This is because TMJ/TMD are conditions that are commonly associated with other areas of the body and can therefore be overlooked as the source of headaches, ear problems, and/or upper cervical issues.  Understanding these complex relationships and how they relate to dysfunction of the jaw, head, and neck is vital to an accurate diagnosis and treatment outcome.  The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Health(NIH), classifies TMJ/TMD by the following criteria:  

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Myofascial Pain

Degenerative Joint Disease

Internal Derangement

 TMD  (Temporomandibular Disorder) occurs when the muscles that support and stabilize the jaw become dysfunctional.  These muscles are closely related to the neck and shoulder muscles.

  • Headaches
  • Phantom Tooth Pain
  • Ear Pain and/or Congestion
  • Para-functional activities- clenching and bruxism  

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Internal Derangement

Degenerative Joint Disease

Internal Derangement

Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint describes a dislocation or displacement of the articular disk,  which is the fibrocartilaginous pad between the bony parts of the joint. This condition can vary widely in the degree of severity ranging from a mild displacement to complete dislocations.

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Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative Joint Disease

A variety of bony changes can be seen from severe osteoarthritic remodeling to mild flattening/beaking of the condyles.

It is common for a person to have more than one of these conditions at the same time.

Our expertise is in first making the correct diagnosis and then tailoring treatment that is appropriate to the level and degree of each individual's need. It is common for most patients to have a combination of problems that must be assessed and treated accordingly. Each patient and case is unique.   Our ability to evaluate and treat on an individual basis is what sets our practice apart.