TMD / TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment

Serving San Diego, La Jolla, and Coronado

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD / TMJ) is a common condition that is caused by the misalignment, or malocclusion, of your jaw’s ball-and-socket joint. TMD affects thousands of people nationwide, often leading to dozens of painful symptoms, including:

  • Tension headaches (often misdiagnosed as migraines)
  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Ear pain
  • Jaw soreness, clicking, and popping
  • Tingling and/or numbness in the limbs

Unfortunately, most patients remain unaware that TMD might be the source of their chronic pain, as primary doctors do not possess the tools or specialized training needed to test for TMD. Neuromuscular dentistry is the specific field of dentistry dedicated to diagnosing and treating TMD / TMJ in afflicted patients. An experienced neuromuscular dentist can provide you with the lasting relief you have been looking for from the painful symptoms of TMD.

Diagnosing TMD / TMJ

In order to determine whether or not TMD is the source of your symptoms, Dr. Strober will use a device called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neuro Stimulation) unit to diagnose you. This device gently massages your jaw muscles through a series of low-frequency electrical impulses. Your blood flow will increase, flushing toxins from the muscle area. In less than an hour, your jaw muscles will completely relax into a more natural position. Many patients feel instant relief from their symptoms when the TENS unit is used.

Treating TMD / TMJ

Once Dr. Strober is able to determine your correct jaw position, he can develop a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your jaw’s malocclusion and how it is affecting your teeth, treatment can take a variety of forms.

In general, Dr. Strober’s first step will be to stabilize your bite. This requires the use of an orthotic appliance that is custom-made to fit your teeth and hold your jaw in place during your sleep cycle. This will protect your teeth from any grinding that takes place at night and prevent your jaw’s misalignment from getting worse.

If your bite is severely misaligned, Dr. Strober may recommend using orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign®, to more effectively move your teeth back into their ideal position.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of TMD / TMJ, you deserve permanent relief from your pain. Contact our San Diego office today to schedule an appointment with experienced neuromuscular dentist Dr. Rod Strober.