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My Husband Says My Migraines are From TMJ

Posted on by writeradmin.

I take medicine for migraines every day. My husband, who is not a big believer in medications, thinks I’m probably getting the migraines from TMJ disorder and the medicine is not necessary. How do I know if he’s right?

Adeline

Dear Adeline,

close up of temporomadibular joint

Migraines can be the result of TMJ disorder, but there are normally other signs which accompany it. Here are some of the more common symptoms.

  • Painful jaw muscles
  • Popping or clicking of jaw joints
  • Worn teeth
  • Ear pain

There are others as well, but these are some generalized indicators. Though a self-diagnosis will do you little good. Your best bet is to see a dentist who treats TMJ. They can give you a thorough exam and narrow down the cause of your particular TMJ.

For instance, worn teeth are usually a sign you grind or clench your teeth. Not only can this lead to TMJ, but it also wears your teeth down to nubs, requiring them to need dental crowns in order to function properly. Yet, a simple night guard worn at night can completely protect your teeth and ease up the pressure to your jaw.

In other cases, it’s a matter of your bite being thrown off by poor alignment. There can be several solutions for this depending on the severity of the problem.

Who Should Treat Your TMJ?

There isn’t a recognized specialty in TMJ, therefore any dentist can technically claim to treat it. However, the way the muscles, joints, and teeth line up is a complicated matter and requires some post-doctoral training in order to be effective. It’s imperative you see a dentist who’s invested time in learning how to properly treat it at a reputable institution.

Here are some well-qualified places a dentist may go to get trained in TMJ Disorder:

  • The Kois Center
  • The Pankey Institute
  • Dawson Academy
  • Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies

Any of these places offers extensive instruction on the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ Disorder. You should be in safe hands with a dentist who’s studied at one of them.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Do I Need Full-Mouth Reconstruction to Fix My TMJ Disorder?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I was visiting my hygienist and we were chatting as usual. I happened to mention that I had been suffering from a lot of headaches over the past few months. I wasn’t looking for help with them, just talking.

Well, she goes and tells the dentist what I said and, next thing I know, he’s messing with my jaw. He said he feels certain that I have a TMJ disorder and that I need full-mouth reconstruction to fix it. I was beside myself. I’ve never even heard of something like that. Then, to make matters worse, the assistant brings me in an estimate and says my insurance probably won’t cover this so-called necessary treatment and that to cure my headaches, I’ll have to pony up more than I make in a year. It sounds like snake-oil to me. Is there any truth at all to this or is he just trying to make a quick buck? —  Monica in Alabama

Monica,
In all fairness, your hygienist has a responsibility to let the doctor know any medially-relevant information that you tell her, even if it’s only in conversation. In this respect, she was no-doubt looking out for your best interests. Moreover, headaches are indeed a symptom of TMJ disorders, so they were spot-on with that as well.

It doesn’t sound like they took the time to explain why you received the diagnosis, though. A TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint isn’t working properly. That’s your jawbone. Most commonly, people begin to experience pain in the jawbone as a result of grinding or clenching. Sometimes they do it while they sleep, so they’re not even aware of their habit. Other times, people clench while agitated and don’t realize it. Malalignment can also cause issues, too. Any of these things can affect the wear on your teeth and cause pain throughout your mouth, jaw, head and neck. If left untreated, a lot of damage can be caused, and it becomes more difficult to manage.

Typically, a full-mouth reconstruction is needed when the problem has been on-going. Doctors usually try to treat TMJ disorders conservatively at first, perhaps with a bite splint to wear overnight. However, we also don’t know the root cause of your issue, nor do we know the extent of the damage, so it’s impossible to say whether full-mouth reconstruction is warranted.

Technically, there are no TMJ specialists. Nevertheless, you can find a dentist in your area who has spent extra time studying conditions related to it. If your treatment plan and estimate sound excessive, there’s a very good chance you’re right. Find another doctor who has the additional training and experience needed to provide you with a solid second opinion.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.