If you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, you need treatment from dentists who understand the complex relationship between the bite and the rest of the body. Dr. Paul Sussman has broad experience providing dental treatment for TMJ in Greece and elsewhere in Upstate New York.
Please call Dr. Sussman today at 585-227-4390 to schedule an appointment to learn more about TMJ treatment. Our dentists welcome patients from Greece and other communities near Rochester.
Our TMJ Treatment Options
Dr. Pogal and Dr. Sussman are experienced providers of a wide range of dental services. After a full assessment of your bite, Dr. Sussman can discuss the best approach for alleviating your TMD symptoms.
TMJ treatment is customized to meet each patient’s unique needs, and could include:
- Mouthguard
- A custom orthotic device
- Orthodontics
- Treatment with a TENS unit
- Full mouth reconstruction
Some TMJ patients are able to find sufficient relief by simply wearing a mouthguard to relieve muscle tension in the jaw. However, many others visit Dr. Sussman after finding that treatment with a mouthguard is ineffective.
TMJ Treatment: Orthotics, Orthodontics, and TENS
If a mouthguard isn’t the solution for you, our Greece dentist can discuss alternative solutions. Though shaped somewhat like a mouthguard, an orthotic appliance is used to shift the lower jaw so the bite is properly aligned.
Braces, retainers, and other orthodontic treatments can also be used to balance the bite and realign problematic teeth. In some cases a single misshapen, misaligned, or missing tooth could lead to issues skewing the bite.
To relax muscles in the face, Dr. Sussman might recommend treatment sessions with a TENS (transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation) device. The TENS unit delivers a low-powered electric current that stimulates the nerves. Muscles are lulled into a state of relaxation, which reduces the pressure and pain that TMJ patients commonly experience in the face and neck.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Full mouth reconstruction involves revision and correction of structures in the mouth that are disrupting the bite. The steps involved in reconstruction will depend entirely on the anatomy of your mouth, but could include:
- Tooth extractions
- Fabrication and/or replacement of crowns, inlays, and onlays
- Dental implants to anchor custom bridgework or dentures
- Bone and gum graft to add necessary hard and soft tissue
Dr. Sussman will carefully monitor changes to your bite through every stage of reconstruction to ensure alignment is progressing according to your treatment plan. Though there are surgical solutions for repairing or replacing the TMJ itself, this option is considered drastic and should only be used if more manageable options haven’t been successful.
Please contact the office of Dr. Paul Sussman and Dr. Meredith Pogal or call 585-227-4390 today to schedule your consultation. Our dentists serve patients in Greece, Brighton, Fairport, Spencerport, Hilton, and many communities throughout Upstate New York.
