Each month I see a consistent number of patients with Sleep Bruxism who self-report, have a provider diagnosis, or both. What’s fascinating is that they report a variable list and severity of morning symptoms due to the same thing: grinding or clenching their teeth during the sleeping hours. What’s even more fascinating is there are countless people out there who also grind … [Read more...] about Sleep Bruxism—What To Consider
Stubborn Inflammation In The TMJs – 3 Types Of Patients
Whether it is in the internal organs, brain, muscles, or joints - dealing with persistent inflammation is an ongoing problem. Once inflammation is invested in the TMJs, neck, or jaw muscles, it often defines pain and suffering for the orofacial pain sufferer for extended periods of time. Although inflammation is the initial step in the healing process unless the source of … [Read more...] about Stubborn Inflammation In The TMJs – 3 Types Of Patients
The Returning TMJ Patient
In an orofacial pain practice where many patients have TMJ problems, it is not uncommon for a former patient to return for evaluation and treatment often many years later. At times the returning symptoms share a similar profile to what was managed earlier, and evaluation and treatment proceed down a familiar pathway. Less frequently a patient returns and the symptoms that … [Read more...] about The Returning TMJ Patient
When Botox injection therapy stopped working…
During the past year, I had an opportunity to evaluate a 51-year-old patient who presented with an orofacial pain problem that seemingly had a muscle origin. Susan’s daily pain was focused in her teeth, temples, and masseter muscles and had been persistent for two years. Ongoing dental evaluations ruled out true tooth pathology and first line strategies to ease her masseter and … [Read more...] about When Botox injection therapy stopped working…
Is It TMD Or Is It A Tumor?
In my practice, most patients are referred by their dentist, physician, or other healthcare professionals because they are experiencing facial pain, persistent tooth pain, or the common symptoms of TMJ/TMD, which can include one or more of the following: ear pain, jaw pain, limited jaw motion, joint noise, the inability to bring teeth together, facial tightness, and headaches … [Read more...] about Is It TMD Or Is It A Tumor?