Symptoms associated with this disorder include one or more of the following:

• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Pain and ringing in the ears
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Sore/painful facial muscles
• Pain and/or stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and back

If you have any of these symptoms or have questions please call our office to schedule a TMJ consultation appointment for a complete exam and a review of your options.

These symptoms are often so severe thus disabling one from normal daily activities and altering one’s quality of life.

Many of these symptoms are a result of poorly aligned teeth and an unbalanced “bad” bite. A bad bite can be caused by one or more of the following:

• Clenching/grinding teeth
• Orthodontic misalignment
• High dental restorations (ie. crowns and filling)
• Misaligned teeth
• Underdeveloped Jaws

In these circumstances, the TMJ and muscles have to work harder to bring teeth together in order to function properly. There is also a tendency for excessive subconscious clenching and/or grinding during the day and night while trying to find balance in the bite. As a result, teeth wear down and can fracture, and the TMJ and surrounding muscles become strained and fatigued.

Dr. Rahimi works with board-certified Craniopathic specialists utilizing cranial-dental procedures in treating these TMJ disorders. Working together, a balanced bite is achieved. Treatment might include bite adjustments (removing and re-contouring high spots and premature contacts on teeth and restorations), and/or fabrication of an occlusal (bite) splint orthotic to protect the jaw and muscles from clenching/grinding.

Other times more involved procedures are necessary including one or more of the following:

Orthodontics (braces) to move teeth into a more balanced and physiologic position
Prosthetic solutions where restorations are placed on badly worn, broken-down, missing restorations and teeth in order to restore and stabilize function and balance in the bite.

If you have any of these symptoms or have questions please call our office to schedule a TMJ consultation appointment for a complete exam and a review of your options.

We offer a safe, non-surgical approach to rapid & long-lasting relief from orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.

What Causes TMJ?

There are many factors that can cause or contribute to TMJ disorders. They include trauma – any blow to the head or chin, whiplash injury, poor posture, abnormal bite (malocclusion), arthritis, and hereditary growth and development factors that contribute to skeletal malformation. Stress at work or home also has an impact on TMJ disorders. Muscle strain and spasm begin when the disc becomes displaced. Early signs of a TMJ disorder usually include clicking or popping noises. More severe displacements can be very painful. If left untreated, permanent change can result.

Often proper treatment can alleviate months or years of pain and suffering. Treatments vary considerably with each individual patient and may include fabrication and fitting of the precise, custom-fitted orthotic appliance (sometimes called “splints”) to realign and stabilize the jaw joint, restore comfort and improve jaw function.

Los Gatos Dentist Dr. Rahimi is board certified Diplomate by the American Board of Craniofacial Pain; Dental Sleep Medicine (ABCDSM) and strives to achieve a balanced bite (occlusion) to relieve acute and chronic Head, Jaw, and Facial Pain. Treatment might include fabrication of occlusal decompression orthotics to appropriately reposition the jaw and muscles to reduce clenching/grinding, physical medicine including Cold Laser, Ultrasound, TENS, Trigger Point injections, Prolotherapy, chronic pain nutrition, and screening for Sleep Breathing Disorders (SBD) which can cause sleep bruxism.