TMJ/TMD
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD) can significantly impact your daily life, causing persistent pain and making simple activities like eating and speaking difficult. At MacPhail Signature Smiles, Dr. MacPhail, DDS understands how debilitating TMJ symptoms can be, which is why we offer specialized care to address the root causes of your discomfort. Our approach focuses on long-lasting relief rather than temporary solutions, helping you regain comfort and functionality in your jaw.
Understanding TMJ
TMJ disorder occurs when there’s a problem with your temporomandibular joint—the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. This complex joint allows for the movement needed to speak, chew, and yawn. When the joint or surrounding muscles become inflamed, misaligned, or damaged, it results in TMJ disorder. This condition affects millions of Americans, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe, chronic pain.
A misaligned bite often lies at the heart of TMJ issues, creating an unhealthy relationship between your skull and jaw. This misalignment forces your jaw muscles to work harder, leading to tension, inflammation, and pain that can radiate throughout your face, head, neck, and even shoulders.
Serving areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
With Our Neuromuscular Dentistry in Okemos
TMJ and TMD, also known as temporomandibular joint syndrome and temporomandibular joint disorder respectively, is a degenerative and chronic disease that harms millions of people every year. People who suffer from TMJ/TMD experience a variety of symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to severely debilitating. This disease occurs in people who have an unhealthy skull-to-jaw relationship, which can be caused by a poor bite. When an individual has a poor bite, their jaw is usually misaligned, causing any number of problems. These symptoms include tinnitus, shoulder and neck pain, jaw pain, headaches, and popping or clicking sounds in their jaw joint.
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Neuromuscular dentistry is the field of dentistry that works to realign misaligned jaws and correct an individual’s bite. Since TMJ/TMD negatively affects both the soft and hard tissues in the jaw, this area of dentistry is often complex and requires an extensive skill set and experience. Dr. MacPhail has experienced these issues herself! She has studied and trained extensively, taking thousands of hours of continuing education. Dr. MacPhail can help you resolve your TMJ/TMD issues that can result in headaches and neck pain.
Fortunately, Dr. MacPhail, DDS has over 30 years of in-depth dental experience. Our team of dental experts is highly skilled and experienced in this area of dentistry and we can help you fix your teeth, your bite, and your smile today.
Diagnosing & Treating TMJ/TMD
Using our state-of-the-art technology, we will work to accurately diagnose your condition. We may use any number of diagnostic equipment and technologies, including computerized jaw tracking to observe your bite, electromyography to analyze your jaw’s functionality, and sonography to record any abnormalities in your jaw joint. In addition, we may utilize digital x-rays and 3D-imaging in order to evaluate the positioning and condition of your jaw joint. We will strive to provide you with an accurate diagnosis, safely and quickly.
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Treatment for TMJ/TMD usually proceeds in the following three steps:
- Relieve your muscle pain and spasm – Our first concern is to provide you with relief from your painful symptoms. One of the most effective ways of doing so is by using a technology referred to as ULF-TENS, an acronym for Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation. Essentially, this technology is just a method of relaxing your muscles by gently massaging them. ULF-TENS will relax your muscles using a gentle pulse to pump out waste products and increase blood flow. This technology will also stimulate your body’s endorphin production, which will in turn provide you with a natural anesthetic.
- Stabilize your bite – For this step, we generally use a temporary device referred to as an orthotic or splint. You will wear the orthotic/splint over your teeth and Dr. MacPhail will make slight adjustments to the plastic, thereby aligning your teeth and TMJ into their proper position. This will work to stabilize your bite and TMJ relieving the rest of your remaining symptoms. Afterwards, we will work to permanently correct your bite.
- Long-term management – As there are any number of ways that this step can be achieved and since permanent management varies from patient to patient, you may want to ask Dr. MacPhail about which method is best for you and your teeth.
Benefits of TMJ Treatment
Our TMJ Treatment Process
Advanced Diagnostic Assessment
We begin with a thorough evaluation using computerized jaw tracking, electromyography, and 3D imaging to pinpoint the exact cause of your TMJ pain. This precision diagnostics approach allows Dr. MacPhail, DDS to see beyond symptoms to identify joint misalignments, muscle tension patterns, and bite irregularities. Your comfort during this assessment is our priority, ensuring we gather comprehensive information without causing additional discomfort.
Neuromuscular Pain Relief
Using Ultra Low Frequency TENS therapy, we gently relax your jaw muscles to provide immediate comfort and prepare for proper alignment. This non-invasive technique stimulates blood flow and triggers natural endorphin release to reduce inflammation and pain. You’ll notice a significant difference even during this initial therapeutic phase as your muscles begin to release long-held tension patterns.
Custom Orthotic Stabilization
Dr. MacPhail, DDS creates a precisely calibrated orthotic device designed specifically for your bite pattern and jaw structure. This custom-fit appliance gently guides your jaw into proper alignment, allowing inflamed tissues to heal and muscles to rebalance. Your orthotic is continually refined through multiple appointments to ensure perfect fit and maximum therapeutic benefit.
Bite Correction & Retraining
Once pain is reduced, we focus on establishing long-term stability through carefully planned bite correction techniques. This may include gentle reshaping of tooth surfaces, targeted muscle exercises, or advanced restorative procedures to maintain proper jaw alignment. You’ll learn techniques to keep your jaw muscles functioning in harmony and prevent TMJ pain recurrence.
Ongoing Dental Wellness Support
We schedule strategic follow-up care to monitor your progress and make minor adjustments before small issues become painful problems. Your personalized TMJ maintenance program includes regular evaluations of joint function, muscle balance, and bite stability. Dr. MacPhail, DDS and our team remain your partners in maintaining comfortable jaw function for years to come.
Why Choose Us for TMJ Treatment
MacPhail Signature Smiles stands apart in TMJ care through our combination of advanced technology and personalized attention that addresses your specific symptoms. Dr. MacPhail, DDS’s specialized training in neuromuscular dentistry allows her to detect subtle jaw imbalances other practitioners might miss, while our comprehensive diagnostic tools—including computerized jaw tracking and 3D imaging—provide objective measurements rather than guesswork.
Unlike practices that offer only temporary pain relief, we investigate the mechanical relationships between your teeth, muscles, and joints to solve TMJ problems at their source. Patients appreciate our straightforward explanations of complex TMJ issues and our meticulous attention to comfort during every procedure. Dr. MacPhail, DDS, continuously updates her neuromuscular dentistry expertise through advanced education, ensuring you receive the most current, effective TMJ treatments available.
End Your TMJ Pain Today
Stop letting jaw pain limit your life when specialized TMJ relief is just a phone call away. Contact Dr. MacPhail, DDS, at MacPhail Signature Smiles by calling 517-347-6733 to schedule your comprehensive TMJ evaluation.
For additional information and patient success stories, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Dr. MacPhail’s neuromuscular approach has helped numerous patients rediscover comfort and function without relying on pain medications or invasive procedures. Your personalized TMJ treatment plan awaits.
FAQs
What is TMJ?
TMJ refers to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, a condition affecting the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. This disorder involves dysfunction in the complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones that make up the temporomandibular joint. When this system becomes imbalanced, it can cause pain, limited jaw movement, and uncomfortable clicking or popping sounds.
How to cure TMJ permanently?
While “cure” might be a strong word, permanent relief from TMJ is possible through comprehensive treatment that addresses the underlying causes. A multi-faceted approach typically yields the best long-term results, including neuromuscular dentistry techniques, custom orthotic devices to correct bite alignment, and therapeutic exercises. For some patients, dental restorations or orthodontic work may be necessary to permanently correct bite issues contributing to TMJ symptoms.
What causes TMJ?
TMJ disorders can stem from various factors, with the most common being an imbalanced bite that creates misalignment in the jaw joint. Other potential causes include jaw injury, arthritis, chronic teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), and excessive stress that leads to muscle tension. Some people may have anatomical factors that predispose them to TMJ issues, such as disc derangement or structural joint abnormalities.
Who treats TMJ?
TMJ treatment typically involves dental professionals specialized in neuromuscular dentistry, like those at MacPhail Signature Smiles. These specialists have advanced training in jaw function and the complex relationship between your bite, muscles, and joints. In some cases, a multidisciplinary approach may include physical therapists who provide specialized exercises, chiropractors focusing on neck alignment, or pain management specialists for severe cases.
Can TMJ cause ear pain?
Yes, TMJ disorders frequently cause ear pain, often mistaken for ear infections or other ear problems. This connection exists because the temporomandibular joint sits very close to the ear canal and shares nerve pathways with the ear. TMJ-related ear symptoms can include pain, fullness or pressure sensations, ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus), and even dizziness or balance issues in some cases.
Does TMJ go away?
Mild, temporary TMJ symptoms sometimes resolve on their own, particularly if they’re caused by short-term stress or minor jaw strain. However, chronic or recurrent TMJ disorders typically require professional treatment to achieve lasting relief. Professional evaluation is recommended if symptoms persist beyond a few weeks or regularly return, as early treatment generally leads to better outcomes.
