Do you experience frequent headaches, and pain in the neck or face? Do you find over the counter pain relievers just don’t help?
Chronic headaches affect millions of Americans. Many miss work, make countless doctor visits, and overspend on over-the-counter pain relievers to no avail. A simple evaluation with our dentists can help determine if your frequent headaches and facial pain are because of a Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or malocclusion (unbalanced bite).
Dr. Trinkner specializes in treating TMJ dysfunction and helps patients get lasting relief from headaches and facial pain. Together with Dr. Keefer, they can offer a team approach to complex bite problems and TMJ disorders for a successful outcome.
Are Your Headaches a symptom of TMJ Dysfunction?
Headache causes can include stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and neurological disorders. However, an often overlooked cause of headaches is an underlying dental problem commonly associated with dysfunction in your bite. Headaches are one of the most common signs of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), also known as TMJ.
TMJ headaches typically occur in the morning. They are the result of overnight teeth clenching, teeth grinding, or tension in your jaw joints. Fixing the imbalance in your bite can bring back your oral health and ease discomfort, leading to a better quality of life.
Treatment for TMJ Headaches
Treatment for TMJ headaches can vary depending on the severity of your issue. For patients with mild to moderate issues, we can recommend oral appliance therapy. This treatment involves using a night guard or dental splint. Night guards are very similar to sports mouthguards. We will first take impressions of your teeth and bite pattern to create a template to build the night guard.
You will have to wear your custom-made night guard during sleep, and times of stress. You don’t have to wear it all the time, or during the day when you are not grinding your teeth.
For patients with more advanced concerns, we can recommend bite correction therapy. This involves reshaping your teeth so that they make proper contact. Our dentists may use dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or dental implants to help bring your teeth into proper alignment. We can provide lasting relief from chronic headaches and facial pain.
In cases where malocclusion is the underlying cause of your dental concerns, we may recommend orthodontics. Orthodontics treatment straightens your smile and allows for a more comfortable and natural bite pattern. Fortunately, Dr. Trinkner is a local Columbia Invisalign® provider! He can offer the convenience of clear aligners for your treatment when appropriate.
Real TMJ Patient Testimonial
“Dr. Trinkner correctly diagnosed and then successfully resolved my bite problems. I had visited two other dentists and three orthodontists prior to finding Dr. Trinkner, but none of them could help me. Dr. Trinkner instantly recognized the problem, and then provided an effective solution to correct my bite. I would recommend him to anyone!” – Darla J.
Schedule a Dental Exam and TMJ Evaluation with Dr. Tom Trinkner
Contact our dentist office in Columbia, SC, for a bite analysis to determine if your headaches are because of a TMJ Dysfunction. Call us at 803-400-8729 or request an appointment online.