Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ or TMJD) is a group of disorders that cause pain and stiffness throughout the jaw joint and surrounding muscle. In addition to the characteristic pain and stiffness in the jaw, temporomandibular joint dysfunction may cause headaches, earaches, locking or clicking of the jaw, and radiating pain throughout the face and neck.

TMJ can be difficult to diagnose and treat because the exact cause for the disorder is unknown and its symptoms overlap with other conditions such as sinusitis, facial neuralgias, ear infections and various types of headaches. Consequently, it is important to receive a complete and accurate diagnosis to ensure that you receive the most effective treatment. In addition, sometimes there are underlying or co-existing conditions contributing to the TMJ such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.

How We Can Help

At the Kaplan Center, our physicians have years of experience treating patients with TMJ and other chronic pain conditions, and we completely reject the notion that “you just have to live with it.”

At your first visit, your Kaplan physician will take time exploring the onset of your condition, the specific nature of your symptoms and the overall status of your health. You’ll also be asked about the medications and therapies you’ve tried in the past, and what has and hasn’t worked for you. To gather additional information about your condition, specialized diagnostic laboratory testing may be necessary.

After reviewing all of the factors contributing to your TMJ, your physician will spend time talking with you about your diagnosis and working with you to create a customized and multi-dimensional treatment plan that addresses not only your immediate pain but also any possible underlying or co-existing conditions that may be causing or aggravating your symptoms.

Research has shown that time and conservative (non-surgical) treatment is most effective in resolving TMJ pain.

We offer a multitude of effective treatment options, including:

• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Cold Laser Therapy
• CranioSacral Therapy
• Frequency Specific Microcurrent
• Herbal Remedies
• Meditation Training for Stress Management
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
• Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
• Prescription Medications
• Prolotherapy
• Sleep Evaluation & Management

Additional Resources:

Publication: What is Biofeedback? By Medline Plus, a service of the US Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
Research study: The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint myofascial pain: a randomized controlled trial. School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom.