TMJ Symptoms

Serving Dallas Metroplex, Plano, Fort Worth, and Surrounding Areas

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is estimated to be the third largest health problem in the United States. It is a jaw alignment problem and, although it is very common, it is also very hard to properly diagnose.

If you have TMJ, you may have all or just some of these symptoms, the severities of which will often change over time:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain when eating, talking or upon waking
• Tingling in your neck, hands or feet
• Blurred vision
• Tooth grinding
• and more

The only way to properly diagnose TMJ is to meet with a cosmetic dentist. He will either use X-rays, CAT scans or K-7 scans to model your bite pattern. Only computer modeling can accurately reveal TMJ.

The treatments for TMJ are simple and often profound. Dr. Strader prefers the Nocioceptive Trigeminal Inhibitor system, known as NTI. This is a custom-made mouth guard you wear at night. It shifts your jaw into a more proper and comfortable position. While it may sound simple, it works wonders, and is the only non-drug-based treatment for migraines and TMJ which has been approved by the FDA.

In more severe cases of TMJ, restoration techniques may have to be used. Dr. Strader and his staff will help you explore your options, which may include surgery. Again, the only way to know which treatment will work for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Strader.

For more information, please see Neuromuscular Dentistry.

Dr. Strader has received advanced instruction from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, the nation's top-rated cosmetic dental school. He has been diagnosing and treating TMJ for over 30 years throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area.