Craniofacial/TMJ Pain

Living with pain, any pain, can dramatically alter your quality of life. Craniofacial pain is a broad term used for encompassing all pain in the face and head, including those caused by Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD). Craniofacial pain can include the following symptoms:

Muscular/facial pain
Locking of the jaw
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Nerve disorders
Referred ear pain, fullness or ringing
Headaches
Neck pain
Photophobia (light sensitivity)

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD), describes a group of symptoms including headaches; facial pain; jaw pain; sore, chipped, broken, or worn teeth, clicking or popping in the jaw, and limited jaw movement. In many cases people suffering from TMJ/TMD report chronic pain in the jaw, teeth, face, head, neck, shoulders, or back, or any combination of these areas. Snoring, grinding of teeth, frequent ear infections and restricted airway are other problems associated with TMJ/TMD.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

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If TMJ pain and other symptoms of TMD are caused by Oral Myofunctional Disorders (OMD's), then the best way to address the pain is to target those disorders. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy treats OMD's by strengthening the oral and facial muscles and training them to be in their proper positions. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can make a major difference to TMD - helping to restore the Temporomandibular Joint to correct functionality, reduce pain, and increase mandibular (lower jaw) range of motion.

Low Level Laser Therapy

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment is effective for TMD-related pain, especially long lasting pain. Laser therapy can help TMD patients not only by restoring the displaced disc, but also healing the nerves surrounding the disk. Laser therapy can send blood to the affected areas so that the muscles and other parts get enough energy to heal themselves. In the treatment of TMD, the application of LLLT can result in the immediate decrease of painful symptoms and increased range of mandibular (lower jaw) movements.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Points are hyper-irritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. When palpated, these areas can elicit pain either at the source or refer pain to other areas. Trigger Point Therapy consists of using a syringe needle tip as a scalpel to break up the trigger point in the muscle. The natural inflammatory process will heal the area and reduce or eliminate the trigger point. This treatment is delivered with local anesthetic for increased comfort and can be used in combination with Botox® or Xeomin® to improve symptom relief.

Functional Appliance Therapy

This treatment option works by relaxing the cranio-mandibular muscles - for extra-capsular relief. It treats symptoms by decompressing the joint and eliminating the effects of bruxing with its double-mouthguard effect. Further relief is provided by the change in the resting length of the muscles when the appliance is in place. This treatment assists in relieving TMJ and cranio-mandibular symptoms, limiting bruxing and grinding, and improves patient comfort.

Splint/TMJ Appliance Therapy

Occlusal splints are a type of TMD appliance and are also a standard method to treat disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The goals of splint therapy are to eliminate TMJ and muscle pain, to improve jaw function, and to recapture the displaced disc. Since a splint fits over the upper or lower teeth, the appliance prevents contact between the teeth. When the teeth touch the splint, they're in the least harmful and most correct position. All TMJ appliances aim to relieve pain, discomfort and stiffness in the area where the upper and lower jaw connect, just in front of the ears. TMJ appliances may reduce the symptoms of TMD by reducing pressure on the jaw joints or realigning the bite.

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial release (MFR) is a therapy useful for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles. Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures can contribute to myofascial restrictions.

Botox® Therapy

Botox® injections are a minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from migraine headaches, jaw pain due to bruxism, myofascial pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain. Derived from the botulinum toxin, it is a purified protein that helps relax overactive and painful muscles. While this injection procedure is most commonly known for its effect on wrinkles, it is also a highly effective pain therapy that can provide three to four months of pain relief.