Houston TMJ Dentists
A diagram of the temporo-mandibular joint
What is TMJ disorder?
The full name of the joint is the temporo-mandibular joint. TMJ is an acronym for this joint. It is one of the most complex joints in the human body, and its complexity is enhanced by the interaction it has with the teeth.
There are any number of things that can go wrong with it. The disc that cushions the joint can become damaged. Any of the many muscles that connect to it can suffer from spasms. It can become arthritic.
A lack of harmony in how your teeth come together can strain the attached muscles so that you have constant pain. The joint can lock open or lock closed.
A common symptom is migraine headaches, but there are other symptoms. There can be noises, such as clicking or popping. Since it is close to the ear, you can have tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or pain that feels like an earache.
What does a TMJ dentist do?
Dr. Thomas Hedge and Dr. Kathy Frazar have extensive studies in treating TMJ disorder, and Dr. Hedge has been a faculty member of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, a well-known institute for teaching dentists how to treat TMJ problems.
However, there is no separate TMJ specialty in dentistry, so it wouldn’t be accurate to call any dentist a “TMJ dentist.” They are licensed as general dentists, but have extra training in this area and a special interest in helping people with TMJ problems.
The need for a TMJ dentist
Some dentists feel that there should be a separate TMJ dentistry field, but there isn’t.
- Most dental schools don’t have time in their curriculum to get into detail in treating this disorder because it is so complex.
- There are two centers that have sprung up to teach dentists the intricacies of this treatment.
- One is the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida. Both Dr. Hedge and Dr. Frazar have attended this institute.
- Another is the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Hedge has studied there and has been a faculty member there.
Technological advances
We have recently had the introduction of some sophisticated tools for diagnosing and treating this condition. We now have sophisticated neuromuscular sensors that will measure tension in your jaw muscles. These are a great help in finding the most relaxed position of your jaw, which has been a problem TMJ dentists have grappled with for years.
- It has also been discovered that injections of small amounts of Botox are very helpful in treating TMJ muscle spasms.
- We can also use high-tech membranes placed between your teeth that measure the pressure on various teeth when you bite.
- Dr. Hedge and Dr. Frazar stay on the cutting edge of all these developments, and have all these tools at their disposal.
To find out what we can do for you, give us a call and schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll look at your teeth, listen to your symptoms, and answer your questions. We want to give you a relaxed, no-commitment opportunity to decide if our TMJ dentists in Houston are the right dental office for you.