Do you clench your jaw? Grind your teeth? Many of us on Staten Island may be doing that now after superstorm Sandy. But does your jaw sometimes “lock” or feel stuck? Have you had chronic headaches, migraines, or facial pain? These are just a few of the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) – a disorder in the hinge joint that connects your lower jaw to the bone just in front of your ears.
TMD may cause chronic headaches, swelling, problems chewing, or just feeling tired in your face. Because it can be hard to pinpoint the source of the pain, or even to know whether your symptoms are all related, you might think you just have to live with it.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In Staten Island at Craig Ratner, DMD, we have state-of-the-art technology to help diagnose and relieve your pain. Dr. Ratner will first help your jaw muscles relax with a TENS unit that uses low-frequency energy pulses. The Myotronics K7 Evaluation System takes measurements of your jaw and even records the sounds in your jaw! All of these diagnostic tools are completely non-invasive and painless.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Craig Ratner can recommend several options, including:
● Dental restorations – crowns, veneers, bonding to raise or lower areas of your bite
● Orthotic – an appliance worn over your teeth to help align the jaw, relax muscle tension, and prevent tooth grinding
● Coronoplasty – reshaping the biting surfaces of your teeth with heavy polishing
● Full Mouth Rehabilitation – if necessary, we can restore every tooth in your mouth to its optimal shape and position to correct your bite
Remember, there’s no reason to live with pain and muscle tension that takes energy and pleasure away from everyday experiences. And many of us don’t need any more discomfort than we’ve had already! Please call our dental office in Staten Island at 718.984.1652 if you’ve had any of the symptoms we’ve described here.