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Dr. Guy Spinner
16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
631.288.9000

TMJ/TMD Treatment Questions

Cosmetic Dentist in Long Island, Westhampton, Southampton and surrounding areas

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Please consult our main TMJ/TMD page.

What is TMJ?
The TMJ is the Temporo-Mandibular Joint, the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull on either side of the head.

What is TMD?
TMD is a disorder of the TMJ, leading to a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

What causes TMD?
The most common cause of TMD is malocclusion, or "bad bite" where your jaw is out of alignment leading to constant stress of the muscles, nerves, and binding tissue.

What are the symptoms of TMD?
The most common TMD symptoms include soreness of the jaw, sore teeth, and recurrent, migraine-strength headaches. Sometimes symptoms also include frequent tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and pain and tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers.

How do I know if I have TMD?
The only way to know for sure is to be examined by a dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry. If you have some configuration of the above symptoms but your doctor cannot locate the cause or give satisfactory treatment, you should make an appointment with a neuromuscular dentist to see if you are suffering from TMD.

How do neuromuscular dentists diagnose TMD?
Neuromuscular dentists have advanced equipment to diagnose the disease. Computerized jaw tracking instruments, electromyographic muscle analysis, and sonographic joint analysis all supplement the use of x-rays in diagnosing the condition.

How do neuromuscular dentists treat TMD?
The basic procedure is broken into three steps. First, they seek to relieve your pain and symptoms over the short-term. Then they stabilize your bite to ensure the condition does not worsen. Finally, they use long-term treatment options to permanently correct the bite. Common approaches include:

• Coronoplasty-the reshaping of tooth enamel to help slightly misaligned teeth fit better
• Removable overlays-permanent orthotics that fit over the back teeth to maintain bite alignment
• Reconstruction-crowns are placed on teeth to make them higher and better-fitted to provide structural support for the jaw
• Orthodontics-if your teeth are healthy, braces may be used to move them into position

How long will treatment take?
In most cases, you should see rapid relief from symptoms, but obviously, the course of treatment depends on what needs to be done, and can range from a few days to a few years. The sooner you receive treatment, the less extensive the treatment, and therefore the shorter the course. If you suspect you may be suffering from TMD, please contact Dr. Spinner today to set up your initial consultation.

Conveniently located in Westhampton Beach, Smile Solutions services the Long Island, Suffolk, Southampton, Hampton Bays, Moriches, East Quogue, and Riverhead areas. If your smile isn't what you want it to be, Smile Solutions may be the right solution for you. Call or email us today to schedule your first appointment!

631.288.9000

16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Fax: 631.288.1800