Dr. Elassal has been providing conservative and successful TMJ dysfunction treatment for over 30 years. The “Temporomandibular Joint,” more commonly referred to as the “jaw joint,” assists in the basic opening and closing of movements of the jaw.
Some symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Clicking
- Popping
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Limited opening and closing
Many, but not all TMJ dysfunctions are caused by the bite. Possible problems include swelling and deterioration or damage of the joint tissue. We offer a TMJ exam that evaluates the joints.
An analysis of the bite, or occlusion, helps determine how to address each specific case. In some cases reshaping teeth, or equilibration, is used to achieve a stable bite and quickly provide relief. Patients who have complex cases will need to wear an appliance called a splint. The next step is to make the bite improvement permanent.
After treatment is completed our patients experience relief from pain and headaches and can function normally.