TMJ FAQ

Why are TMJ and related problems so hard to diagnose?
Well, first of all, the majority of dentists are not trained in neuromuscular TMJ diagnosis and treatment. Oftentimes, there are many overlapping symptoms such as headaches, migraines jaw pain, popping, neck pain, physical injury, tooth grinding, ect... Only specially trained neuromuscular dentists are taught to recognize indications of bite problems. Because some of your symptoms could be rooted in a number of other causes, general dentists and family doctors may ignore the possibility that TMJ is the culprit. In other instances, dentists or doctors may recognize a bite problem, but are at a loss for how to find its cause.

I've had a TMJ splint before and it didn't help. How can neuromuscular treatment be different?
Your previous splint was most likely built to an arbitrary biting position. Most splints are not built into a Neuromuscularly relaxed jaw/biting position. The whole difference in splints is the jaw position that it is designed to replicate. Unless you have had a neuromuscular computerized bite analysis, then your splint is probably not allowing your jaw to live in it's relaxed position.

Will I need surgery for my TMJ condition?
When undergoing neuromuscular TMJ treatment, it is very rare that a surgery would be necessary. In our experience, most TMJ surgery provides only a temporary solution, because the underlying problem of jaw & biting position has not been addressed.