TMJ Treatment in Bethlehem, PA

Understanding an aching jaw, and settling it gently.

I treat TMJ disorder at Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office, as part of the Occlusion Therapy I've practiced in this office since 1988. I examine the jaw joint, the muscles around it and the way your teeth meet, then treat what I find. Call (610) 868-9928 to be seen.

TMD, in plain terms

TMD/TMJ Syndrome (Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction/Temporo-Mandibular Joint) can be described as a cycle of symptoms which flare causing intermittent pain to the jaw muscles, the jaw joint, face, head, neck and even back. People who have this syndrome usually clench, grind or grit their teeth during the day (and aren't aware of it) and/or at night (when they can't control it).

The way the pressure spreads

These spasms also over stimulate the nerves in the face (especially the trigeminal ganglion) which is responsible for providing sensation from the temple to the chin. Once the nerve ganglion reaches its stimulation threshold it will generate nerve pulses across the face. Your face may be extremely sensitive to the touch or you might experience migraine headaches. That is my own account of the mechanism.

The first steps toward settling it

Before we begin any treatment we make sure that your bite is stable. What that means is that your teeth fit together correctly and your jaw joint is in the correct position. Some patients require correction of their bite in order to treat problems such as grinding, wear on the teeth, or strain on the jaw or temporomandibular joint. A balanced or adjusted bite helps ensure long term durability and stability.

What symptoms come with TMD?

More than most people expect. Other symptoms I have encountered with TMD patients include neck and back pain, nausea, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, toothaches and more — that is my own list, and it is why the examination looks wider than the joint itself. Clicking, a jaw that catches, earache and teeth that feel tender all belong on it too.

Is TMJ trouble common?

Far more common than the amount of conversation about it suggests. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health say that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. People travel in from across the Lehigh Valley for it, often after being told it was nothing much.

What causes it?

Not all causes of TMJ syndrome are known. What we do know is that clenching and grinding day and night, a bite whose teeth do not meet evenly, and injury, like trauma to the jaw joint from a motor vehicle accident or a blow to the face, can also cause TMD. The examination looks for which of those is at work.

How much does TMJ treatment cost in Bethlehem, PA?

The examination is quoted first, on its own, because until I have looked nobody can say what treatment is. A night guard, a bite adjustment or a course of balancing are each quoted separately once I know which you need. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. Financing is available.

Will it come back?

It can, and knowing that in advance helps. TMJ/TMD is also episodic and dictated by stress levels; therefore, you may notice symptoms return during certain stressful times of the month, year or life. That is my own observation. A guard worn as directed and a stable bite are what carry you through those stretches.

TMJ Treatment at Always About Smiles

  • An examination that looks at the joint, the muscles and the way your teeth meet
  • We offer Occlusion Therapy for TMJ and TMD
  • We look at all symptoms, including neck pain, dizziness and insomnia
  • If needed, we’ll refer you to a trusted specialist

Hard Time Chewing, Tooth & Gum Pain

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is a dentist the right person to see about jaw pain?

    For a jaw that clicks, catches or aches, and for teeth that are wearing, yes — that is dental territory, and it is what Occlusion Therapy addresses. With today's new technologies and increased understanding, dentists with specific, advanced training in TMJ disorders can diagnose and successfully treat a large majority of these cases.

  • What happens if the treatment doesn't settle it?

    I tell you that possibility up front. In rare instances TMD will not resolve to a tolerable level with this therapy in which case other modalities, such as surgery, may be explored. In particular, TMD resulting from trauma may take longer to resolve. I refer to a specialist when that is what is needed.

  • How long before I notice a difference?

    The good news is most TMD cases are relatively easy to treat, in my words, and many people notice something within a few weeks of wearing a guard as directed. A bite that needs balancing takes longer and is reviewed over several visits. I'll give you a realistic span at the examination.

  • Should I see my physician as well?

    Often that is sensible, and it is not a competition. Where symptoms point away from the jaw — and some do — I'll say so and tell you who to see. Where they point at the joint and the teeth, I'll treat them and keep your physician in the picture if you'd like.

  • Does my insurance cover TMJ treatment?

    Sometimes in part, and it varies more than most dental benefits do. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. Where a claim comes back denied, I take it up with the insurer myself rather than sending it back to you.