TMJ specialists in Bronx, Riverdale, Westchester and Kingsbridge, NY
The temporomandibular joint is the most complex in the human body, responsible for opening and closing the jaw. It is used for eating, speaking, breathing, facial expressions, and a host of other motions. Because it is used more than any other joint, wear and tear make it susceptible to damage. It can also be affected by injuries, jaw or dental misalignment, genetics, and teeth grinding or clenching. Whatever the causes, when the joint is damaged, TMJ Disorder, sometimes called TMD or simply TMJ, is the painful result. At Schimmel Orthodontics, our TMJ expert, Dr. Schimmel, can help you find relief.
What is TMJ or TMD?
TMJ is the common shorthand for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, a painful and often complex condition that afflicts millions of individuals when the TM joint, which attaches the lower jaw to the skull, becomes misaligned. TMJ may cause inflammation of the tendons, ligaments, muscles, or bones surrounding the joint. The ball-and-socket joint may slip in and out or grind due to arthritis. In many cases, the underlying cause of TMJ pain is complex and can be difficult to determine and treat.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include one or more of the following:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw.
- Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints.
- Recurring earaches or pain in the ear area.
- Having a hard time chewing or pain when chewing or biting down.
- Aching facial pain.
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth.
- Recurring headaches.
- Recurring neck pain.
- Recurring pain behind or around the eyes.
- Tooth pain along with jaw tenderness.
- Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds or sensations in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth.
TMJ Treatment Options
There are many treatment options available for TMJ Disorder. If your symptoms are mild, they may resolve on their own or with the use of non-invasive remedies. These may include:
- Warm or cold compresses
- Jaw exercises recommended by your doctor or a physical therapist
- Relaxation techniques
- Giving up contributing bad habits such as nail-biting
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Custom Oral Appliances
Patients with mild to moderate TMJ symptoms that do not go away on their own may require more specialized TMJ treatment. Dr. Schimmel can design customized oral appliances that address causes of TMJ disorder, such as teeth misalignment, jaw clenching, or bruxism (teeth grinding). A nightguard or oral splint requires precision fabrication based on dental impressions taken after a thorough evaluation to determine the primary cause of your symptoms.
For many individuals, braces and clear aligners can also help alleviate TMJ. Crooked or misaligned teeth may affect your bite, which in turn affects the way your temporomandibular joint functions. When your teeth are straight and meet correctly, pressure is taken off the jaw joints, allowing them to function more smoothly and alleviating the grinding and pain associated with TMJ disorder.
Physical Therapy
For some patients, physical therapy can relieve pain and inflammation while training the temporomandibular joint to perform proper movements. This gradually shifts the joint into proper alignment, strengthening and stretching the surrounding muscles. Ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can also bring relief.
Injections
Botox, a neurotoxin, can be injected into the temporomandibular joint to relax the muscles and temporarily relieve TMJ pain. For most patients, the relief lasts 3-4 months, but the injections have to be repeated three or four times a year. Over time, this solution can be quite expensive. For immediate relief, it is a good option that is often used in combination with oral appliances or other treatment modalities.
Surgery
Surgery is reserved as a last resort when other treatments have failed to resolve the pain of TMJ. If oral appliances and other treatments have not worked, we may refer you to an oral surgeon and work closely with them to alleviate your TMJ symptoms. In many cases, we work together to create a splint or mouthguard to be worn after your oral surgery is complete, ensuring that your TMJ pain does not return following surgery.
Why choose Schimmel Orthodontics to treat TMJ Disorder?
Orthodontists have an in-depth understanding of how the teeth, jaw, and facial muscles work together. Dr. Schimmel’s expertise in aligning the bite and correcting jaw discrepancies enables him to address one of the common underlying causes of TMJ problems—improper bite alignment or malocclusion. By using treatments like braces, clear aligners, or specialized appliances, he can reduce strain on the jaw joint, relieve pain, and improve long-term joint function. His comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy and jaw mechanics makes him uniquely qualified to develop personalized, non-invasive treatment plans that promote lasting relief and improvement.
Get Your TMJ Disorder Evaluation
If you have any TMJ pain or symptoms, getting an evaluation and beginning treatment sooner rather than later is your best option. Early intervention is more effective and helps prevent further deterioration of the joint. Call Schimmel Orthodontics at Schimmel Orthodontic Associates office Phone Number(718) 548-4768 to schedule your TMJ evaluation and begin the process of relieving your pain.
Looking For Excellent Orthodontic Treatment?
Contact Schimmel Orthodontic Associates today to schedule an appointment!
