TMJ/Neuromuscular Dentistry FAQ

Serving the Sarasota, Tampa and Tampa Bay areas

How does TMJ cause headaches or migraines?

TMJ causes headaches and migraines by putting excess stress on the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint. When you have TMJ, the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint are under more stress than they need to be. This causes them to become fatigued, creating a painful result that feels like a tension headache. Also, when the muscles are strained, it can interrupt blood flow, preventing blood from reaching proper parts of the jaw, neck, and head. In response, the body sends more blood to the area, which can cause vascular headaches, or migraines.

Sometimes I wake up with my teeth hurting in the morning, what causes this?

While there may be a few different causes for this, it is a common sign that you are grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep. Many people are able to go through the day just fine, without grinding or clenching their teeth, but while they sleep, their body attempts to correct their misaligned temporomandibular joint by grinding and clenching. After a night of this, your teeth can become very sensitive and can hurt in the morning.

How is TMJ corrected?

There are a few different treatments for TMJ. In order to correct TMJ symptoms, Dr. Stanley uses a few different techniques that range for relaxing the muscles around the temporomandibular joint, creating an orthodontic piece that aligns the jaw, or even reconstructing your bite by using crowns or other dental restorations. Dr. Stanley will be able to diagnose your TMJ problems and develop a treatment plan that will relieve your TMJ symptoms.

Is TMJ treatment covered by my insurance?

If you are suffering from TMJ symptoms, it is important that you get the proper treatment so that you can avoid serious future problems. The majority of TMJ treatments are considered medical and can be billed to your medical insurance. TMJ treatment is not always covered by insurance plans, and sometimes it is only partially covered. A referral from your medical doctor or other specialist is often helpful in getting TMJ treatments covered. The staff at The Smile Centre in Sarasota, Englewood, and Venice, Florida is always willing to work with insurance companies and other medical professionals on your behalf. The Smile Centre also provides different payment options so that your TMJ treatment can always fit within you budget.

When should I begin TMJ treatment?

Many people feel like TMJ is not that big a problem, living with some of the symptoms for long periods of time without treatment. Unfortunately, TMJ can progress quickly and before you know it, you may be suffering from serious dental problems that could have been corrected with much simpler treatments. If you are concerned that you have TMJ or you are suffering from TMJ symptoms, contact Dr. Stanley to schedule a free initial consultation so that he can evaluate your temporomandibular joint and determine if you have TMJ.