TMJ Services

TMJ Therapy And TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)

“TMJ” is an abbreviation for “temporomandibular joint.” This hinge joint connects the lower jaw to the skull. Since the joint itself may not be the source of the symptoms, the term “temporomandibular disorders” (TMD) is more accurate.  Pains in the face, head, neck, and even remote parts of the body have been erroneously diagnosed as TMJ syndrome. Some physicians also claim that a “bad bite” causes a host of systemic diseases. Once a diagnosis has been made, Dr. Stephen Cohen will develop a conservative and appropriate individual treatment plan for you. Treatment may include a combination of orthotics, muscle/jaw stimulation, orthodontics, or occlusal restoration.

The correction of a “bad bite” can involve irreversible treatments such as grinding down the teeth or building them up with dental restorations.

An orthotic is a removable appliance worn over the teeth which creates a repositioned bite position, worn for a limited period of time. It is used to relieve pain and to confirm that improved function and alleviation of symptoms will result from the adjusted bite position. During this conservative phase, no permanent adjustment to your bite or teeth takes place. The key to effective treatment is ongoing follow up with Dr. Cohen. As the joint heals, the orthotic will need to be adjusted to maintain optimal bite position.

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding - Night Guards for Teeth Clenching

Teeth griding is medically known as bruxism, which is the clenching together of the bottom and upper jaw accompanied by the grinding of the bottom and upper jaw and followed by the grinding of the lower set of teeth with the upper set. This action will remove critical portions of healthy enamel from the chewing surfaces of your teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench their teeth are called bruxers. They unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as during sleep, especially in the early part of the night. During sleep, the biting force--the force at which the jaws clench together-- can be up to six times greater than the pressure during waking hours. Bruxing is like clenching your two fists and holding them tightly against each other for eight hours. This behavior would cause you to end up with sore hands, arms and shoulders. This is the same thing that happens to your jaw muscles.

Bruxism is a force that is far more destructive to teeth than cavities because the teeth become worn down so much that their enamel is rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth called dentin. This exposed dentin will become very sensitive.