by Dr. Kevin Berry
There is no such thing as a universal TMJ treatment method. Proper TMJ treatment requires diagnosis and therapy as complex as the condition itself. There are several different treatment options available to patients in Denver. Some of these treatment techniques seem simple while others are a bit more complex in nature; however, the fact remains that they have proven to work, and that is all that patients and dentists alike care about! Dr. Berry will spend time with you during your consultation to come up with a TMJ treatment plan that fits your needs as well as your lifestyle. As a neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Berry will treat your TMJ at the source of the problem; this means that the actual condition will be treated, instead of just covering up the symptoms. This way you can rest assured that your headaches, jaw pain, and other TMJ symptoms will be gone for good.
Don’t let your TMJ symptoms keep you down. Instead, work with Dr. Berry to select a TMJ treatment that is sure to work for you. To schedule a time with Dr. Berry call us at 303-691-0307 or contact our office online. Before you know it your TMJ symptoms will be gone forever!
Getting Started With Your TMJ Treatment
As you may have imagined, before you can be given any type of TMJ treatment you will need to be examined by Dr. Berry. He will consider your dental history, past treatment types, along with a precise oral evaluation of your teeth, jaw, and other parts. Part of your first-time visit will include the TENS and K7 devices. When you come into our office, Dr. Berry will use the K7 Evaluation system, a computerized system that works like a GPS you’re your bite, to analyze your occlusion (how your teeth come together) and how hard your jaw has to work to open, to close, and to just hold still. After he has a good baseline reading, he will connect you with a TENS unit. This device sends electrical impulses to the nerves in your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) as a way to relax and treat your TMJ symptoms. The TENS system is completely painless so there is no need to have fear or anxiety over using it. Once your jaw joints are in a relaxed position, Dr. Berry will reconnect you with the K7 Evaluation system to check the balance of your bite in its relaxed state and to find the ideal at-rest position for your bite. Armed with this information, he will identify which type of TMJ treatment would best put and keep your jaw in a proper position. At that point he will explain your options:
Neuromuscular Appliance
Use of the neuromuscular appliance requires Dr. Berry to take a full-mouth impression of your teeth and bite while they are in the at-rest, ideal position that enables your jaw to be balanced and aligned. The neuromuscular appliance, called an orthotic or sometimes commonly referred to as a “bite splint“, will be worn as a way to teach and retrain your jaw’s muscles to close to a new ideal position. For some patients, this appliance works perfectly and is all that is required treatment wise. Over time patients can slowly wean off using the appliance. Many still use it but only opt to wear it at night time. However this is on a patient-by-patient basis so your outcome may be different from the next TMJ patient.
Orthotic to Neuromuscular Orthodontics
For those patients in need of a long-term option for proper TMJ treatment, switching from the orthotic to using neuromuscular orthodontics is often ideal. Orthodontics (braces) will help permanently move the patient’s bite into the new ideal position. Braces will be carefully placed on the teeth to reposition as required.
Orthotic to Neuromuscular Orthodontics with Reconstruction
Depending on your dental condition you may or may not require dental reconstruction along with the use of orthodontics. Reconstruction usually means the placement of dental crowns and/or porcelain veneers. This is a permanent fix that not only corrects the bite but provides for a better smile. It’s a 2-for-1 deal! Who wouldn’t want to have a smile that not only feels good but also looks good too!? There’s nothing better than a balanced bite accompanied by a beautiful full smile!
Come To Dr. Berry for Proven TMJ Treatment
As a highly trained neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Berry offers TMJ treatment that gets results! Don’t hesitate to call us with questions or better yet, to schedule an appointment; just call our Denver office at 303-691-0307 or book an appointment online.