The cause of many headache episodes is not always the dreaded “migraine”.  Often headache patients have spent years going from doctor to doctor trying to find a cure for their pain.   The answer for many of these headache sufferers can be proper diagnosis and treatment for their temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD.

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complicated structures in the human body.  Damage can be caused by accidents, poor bite or often because of teeth grinding due to stress.  The Mayo Clinic estimates that 5 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from some type of pain connected with TMJ disorders.

Symptoms often include blinding headaches.  Patients may have facial or jaw pain, clicking noises in the jaw joint or a feeling of “fullness” in the ears or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).  Each patient may have a different combination of symptoms – or only one.

Proper diagnosis by a trained neuromuscular dentist is an important first step.   A neuromuscular dentist has been specially trained to diagnose and treat injuries to the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles – a subject that is not studied in depth by most general dentists.

Treatment options vary for each individual but a common and highly effective treatment involves the creation of a custom orthotic appliance.  This appliance is normally worn at night and allows your jaw muscles to stay in their most relaxed position.

If headaches are inpacting your life contact Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-454-3488 in the Columbus, Ohio area.