TMJ Disorder and TMD

Exceptional TMD Treatments in Honolulu

Honolulu TMJ disordersMore than 10 million Americans suffer from Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD or commonly referred to as TMJ), with many people never knowing it or that there is treatment available. At Manoa Dental, we focus on treating facial and unexplained jaw pain that may be affecting your everyday life, specifically resulting from TMD.

Our practice takes 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of your jaw joint (TMJ) during our diagnosis process so that we have the most accurate information. Without these images, it would be similar to telling you that you have a cavity without taking x-rays. You can trust us to go beyond offering a dental appliance or splint to guess your treatment result. Our goal is to treat more than just your symptoms but treat the root cause so that you're not forced to wear a dental appliance for life.

Dr. Keri Do and Dr. Malcolm Choy have received advanced training in treating pain that's associated with TMD. If you have facial pain or suffering from TMJ disorders in Honolulu, give us a call today and schedule your appointment!

CALL US: (808) 988-6919 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Advanced Technology to Better Treat Your Honolulu TMD

Honolulu TMD treatmentsOur office uses state-of-the-art technology, including a CBCT evaluation of your TMJ. We do this to determine if a misalignment or joint problem is causing any pathology which may be responsible for jaw dysfunction, noises, dentofacial deformities, pain, or headaches.

Additionally, our team uses the T-Scan® system by Tekscan to perform a computerized bite analysis, offering a more precise analysis than traditional methods. When you visit for your evaluation, you will only need to bite down on the sensor for it to calculate your bite force and location. This information is absolutely necessary to treat TMJ symptoms and begin treatment procedures that offer long-term relief.

Our mission is to restore your lifestyle as it was prior to having your condition, improving your overall health in the process. If left untreated, TMJ disorders can be linked to other health issues such as migraines, sleep apnea, ringing in our ears, and many others.

What Is a Temporomandibular Joint?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint and is composed of two main bones: the temporal bone of the skull and the mandibular bone, which is your lower jaw. There is also a piece of cartilage known as the disk that separates these bones and acts as a cushion between them when you open and close your mouth. This is the only joint in the body designed to dislocate when in use, such as chewing, talking, and breathing. If you place your finger against the forward section of your ear, you can feel this joint in action as you open and close on your back teeth.

The TMJ is also a part of the three main components of the orofacial complex, including the muscles of the head and neck. As a result, problems with this joint can lead to headaches, migraines, and neck pain. Temporomandibular disorders can also affect your smile, with symptoms such as fractured or cracked teeth, excessive wear, or crooked teeth. A healthy TMJ does not make any noise, have grinding, or produce any pain when opening and closing. If any of these occur, the TMJ is considered to have TMD. Symptoms of TMD commonly include:

  • Jaw Pain
  • Tired Jaw Muscles
  • Headaches and Migraines
  • Neck Pain
  • Dizziness/Loss of Balance
  • Earaches
  • Ringing in Ears or Vertigo
  • Ear Stuffiness
  • Loss of Hearing
  • Facial Pain
  • Clenching/Grinding
  • Changes in Bite Function
  • Jaw Locking/Catching
  • Jaw Clicking/Popping

Usually, when there is a problem with one component of the TMJ, it significantly affects the others as well. If the symptoms are left untreated, they can develop into severe conditions such as arthritis in the TMJ or crepitus (gnashing noise or grinding noise in the joint). At this stage, there is bone rubbing against bone due to the perforation in the disc or degenerative joint disease.

Reliable and Conservative TMD Treatments in Honolulu

TMJ Treatments in HonoluluAt Manoa Dental, we understand the root causes of TMJ disorders, so we can treat the root cause instead of just masking the symptoms with a mouthpiece or splint therapy. Without treatment, the TMD symptoms will eventually return or become worse than they were before treatment.

Dr. Do and Dr. Choy put their considerable experience and knowledge to work for you, so you can get the relief you're looking for. Proper conservative treatment is successful in almost all cases and is our preferred method of treatment. We believe surgery is rarely a good option and has a very poor record of being a long-term solution. If you're looking for TMJ disorder treatments in Honolulu, give our team a call today to schedule your visit!

Additionally, click here to visit our TMJ website for more information.

CALL US: (808) 988-6919 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

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We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Please call our office or use the quick contact form below.