DentoPedia

By: Erich Shrefler
People who suffer from chronic facial pain are often left untreated because their physicians do not understand the cause of the pain. They are given painkillers or told that the pain is all in their heads. The pain however, is real and there and a neuromuscular dentist may be able to diagnose the problem and alleviate the pain.

Facial pain is just one in the group of maladies often associated with temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. While some facial pain is directly associated with the temporomandibular joint, TMJ, the muscles or the joint itself, other types of facial pain that are less obvious are also associated with TMD. While facial pain and TMD are tied together, there are other symptoms of TMD that may be present that are not as obviously related.

Tinnitus Various types of headaches Tooth pain Dizzynes or vertigo Blurred vision Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands

These symptoms in conjunction with, facial pain may help a neuromuscular dentist isolate the problem as TMD and treat it accordingly.

Among the reasons for the seemingly unrelated set of signs and symptoms for TMD is the presence of the trigeminal nerve, which enervates many of the facial features. Stress put on this nerve due to inflammation of the TMJ may cause pain or other symptoms that are remote, making it difficult to assign a reason. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the pressure on the nerve is released, alleviating those symptoms.

Types of facial pain

Joint pain, arthritis Muscle pain Sharp or burning pain

Regardless of the type of facial pain you are experiencing, if the pain is caused by TMD, neuromuscular dentist is specially trained to identify and treat your symptoms. Using the latest advances in technology, the neuromuscular dentist attempts to determine the underlying cause of TMD and take measures to address it. Once identified, the following treatment options may be used to alleviate pain:

Physical therapy TENS unit therapy Medication Surgery Instant orthodontia Dental implants Oral appliances

In most cases, pain relief is realized right away once the jaw is brought back into alignment. An oral appliance may be used for temporary relief until other treatment options are implemented. In many cases, the appliance itself is used until your TMJ muscles relearn how to relax, giving them time to recover from any inflammation and soreness.

Facial pain brought on by misalignment of the jaw is treatable. While many physicians may treat the symptoms, or ignore the symptoms altogether, a qualified neuromuscular dentist is trained to identify and treat all the various causes of TMD.

If you would like to learn more about TMD and live in the Rochester, Michigan area, please visit the website of Rochester Advanced Dentistry today.