What is TMJ?

The Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a very complex and sensitive component of the head and neck region of the body. Because of this, any misalignment or irregularity in the function of the TMJ can cause pain and discomfort. This discomfort is called Myofascial Pain Dysfunction (MPD), and can commonly be referred to as TMJ or TMD (Temperomandibular Joint Disorder).

If you are suffering from one or more of the following symptoms, we may be able to help:

• Headaches - tension, chronic or migraine headaches
• Neck, shoulder, and back pain
• Pain or discomfort in or around the jaw joints
• Facial Pain
• Congestion, stuffiness or ringing in the ears
• Numbness in your fingers and arms
• Worn, cracking, or chipped teeth and/or dental restorations
• Clicking, popping, or abrasive sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited jaw mobility and/or locking
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Varying degrees of intermittent tooth pain or sensitivity

TMJ pain is a chronic and often debilitating illness, which affects millions of people. In fact, the vast majority of people suffer to a greater or lesser degree from some form of TMJ symptoms. The underlying conditions that cause the mentioned signs and symptoms are structural, biochemical, and/or emotional. A comprehensive evaluation of your TMJ and an accurate TMJ diagnosis can determine if the symptoms you experience are caused by the TMJ joint, and is the first step in determining if possible TMJ treatment options can help alleviate your TMJ symptoms.

Use these links to find out more about TMJ symptoms, diagnosis and treatment provided by TMD and TMJ dentist, Dr. Edward Miller. Or we invite you to contact our office directly to find out more or get your question answered.

Choosing the Right TMJ Dentist

Believe it or not, as widespread and serious as TMJ disorder is, diagnosing and treating TMJ is not something that a dentist studies a great deal about during dental school. For this sort of expertise, extensive post collegiate training is typically required. This type of training is available at such prestigious organizations as The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. The Las Vegas Institute is one of the leading organizations in the world teaching dentists to correctly diagnose and treat TMJ in their practices (in addition to cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry - also not thoroughly covered during dental school). An informed patient, a qualified dentist and an open dialogue are paramount to facilitate effective TMJ treatment options to ensure positive outcomes for patients.

As you may have surmised, TMJ is a complex issue. The source of some of this complexity is due, in part, to the environment in which TMJ (and general dental health) is taught at traditional medical schools (schools producing general physicians, eg M.D.s). Most physicians, once they recognize symptoms as stemming from a misaligned bite or other dental cause, will entirely defer to the recommendations of a qualified dentist like Dr. Miller. Unfortunately, most physicians only receive one hour or perhaps a single day being introduced to overall dental health topics during their years of academic studies. If TMJ disorder was not complex enough on its own, this lack of awareness by the greater medical community makes it even more complex. For this reason, many symptoms correctly attributed to TMJ are misdiagnosed on a routine basis, and patients continue to suffer.

For this reason (among others), The Las Vegas Institute has even added depression to its list of TMJ symptoms. Patients who are being forced to live with debilitating pain for extended periods - sometimes told by well-meaning, but unaware, physicians or mental health providers that the source of their pain is only in their heads. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include underlying emotional conditions, but telling a patient that his or her pain is not real can never result in a lasting solution - regardless of the pain's source. It only seems logical that living with chronic headaches or chronic pain could lead to depression. If chronic pain is keeping your outlook on life from being positive, it's time to look into how to permanently change the source of your pain.

A TMJ Dentist You Can Trust

Just as Dr. Edward Miller has studied aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, he has also taken extensive, advanced continuing education to become a leading TMJ dentist as well. He studied at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in order to specialize in the effective diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders. Dr. Edward Miller is also an instructor at The Las Vegas Institute - teaching other dentists around the nation to raise the level of dentistry they give their patients. Dr. Miller has committed his professional career to a lifetime of continuing education and continuous improvement to better serve his patients and to do his part to raise dentistry to the highest level of achievement and professionalism. Dr. Miller and his entire staff are equally committed to providing this same level of personal attention, professionalism and caring to your individual needs - whether you are in the office for a routine cleaning or seek answers to a TMJ disorder. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact our office and talk to one of our friendly staff about scheduling an interview with Dr. Miller. Together, your interview will help determine whether a comprehensive diagnosis is, in fact, warranted.

C. Edward Miller, DDS