Welcome to Dr. Priya Mistry’s blog, where we delve into the enlightening discussion from the Facebook live interview with Dr. Steven Lin titled “INTERVIEW W/ DR. STEVEN LIN: TMJ Pain, Teeth Grinding, & Headaches – Priya Mistry, DDS (the TMJ doc).” In this captivating conversation, Dr. Mistry shares her expertise and journey in treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, offering invaluable insights into symptom recognition, treatment approaches, and collaborative care.
The interview opens with Dr. Mistry distinguishing between true jaw joint issues versus jaw muscle issues – shedding light on symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, facial pain, back pain, migraines, vertigo, and more. Dr. Mistry also highlights the role of the trigeminal nerve in TMJ Disorder (TMJ/TMD). She emphasizes the importance of calming this nerve for headache relief and suggests a multidisciplinary approach involving TMJ Dentists, NUCCA chiropractors, and other body workers.
Delving deeper into TMJ anatomy and function, Dr. Mistry explains common issues like misalignment and muscle spasms – which can manifest as clicking, popping, headaches, jaw pain, and teeth grinding. All of these have surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences of teeth grinding on the TMJ including joint damage and muscle pressure are discussed, alongside the utilization of MRIs, CBCT scans, and collaboration between dentists and neurologists for enhanced patient outcomes.
The interview also explores the intriguing link between sleep apnea and TMJ disorders, highlighting how CBCT technology can assess airway constriction during sleep. Dr. Mistry discusses the impact of mouth breathing, tongue posture, orthodontic treatments, hormonal factors, and pelvic instability on TMJ issues. Solutions for managing teeth clenching include lifestyle adjustments, orthopedic guards, and addressing sleep apnea.
In a practical segment, Dr. Mistry shares techniques for releasing jaw muscle tension through self-massage methods targeting the temporalis, masseter, and lateral pterygoid muscles – aiming to improve flexibility and alleviate pain. She evaluates the benefits and drawbacks of Botox injections for TMJ pain, recommending custom orthotics instead. Treatment strategies involve orthotic use, therapy sessions, myofascial release, and massages.
Dr. Mistry’s work and her YouTube channel are great additional resources for those seeking comprehensive information on TMJ disorders. Through her dedication to patient care, collaboration with fellow professionals, and commitment to ongoing education, Dr. Mistry is empowering individuals to reclaim control over their TMJ health and well-being. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions and insights on our journey towards holistic jaw health and wellness.
