Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Headaches are common and can strike people of all ages and health status. Sometimes, headaches are due to stress, dehydration, hunger, or even lack of sleep. While occasional headaches typically are not cause for concern and can be managed with an approved over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, recurring or chronic headaches could point to a bigger health issue. Unfortunately, pinpointing the cause of chronic headaches can seem like a wild goose chase for both you and your physician. Dr. Nancy Hartrick, a Royal Oak dentist that treats temporomandibular joint disorder may have a solution for chronic headache sufferers.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder refers to jaw joint dysfunction. This may occur from having a bad bite, missing teeth, joint arthritis, clenching and grinding your teeth, or trauma to the face. When TMJ disorder develops, inflammation and reduced blood flow to the affected area soon follow suit. As the surrounding muscles become strained and inflammation presses on the nerves, pain can be sent to the teeth, face, head, and neck. Specifically, headaches are likely to occur.

How is TMJ disorder related to chronic headaches?

A major nerve known as the trigeminal nerve connects from the spinal cord and wraps around to the sides of the brain to send nerve sensations and help provide neurofeedback from the jaw to the brain. Since this nerve runs around the jaw joints, inflammation and blood restriction from temporomandibular joint disorder can cause frequent headaches. Therefore, if you experience frequent headaches that are hard to control with OTC medications or if your doctor doesn’t seem to have any answers for you as to the cause of your head pain, consider a TMJ consultation with Dr. Hartrick.

How can the dentist help with chronic headaches?

Dr. Hartrick can screen for TMJ disorder and determine the severity of your jaw joint misalignment. Once the desired occlusion or bite is determined, Dr. Hartrick customizes an oral appliance that can be worn at night and in some cases during the day to reposition the bite for ideal positioning. Wearing a TMJ splint helps by aligning the jaw joints and relieving pressure off the surrounding soft tissues and nerves. As a result, the trigeminal nerve compression may lesson and reduce your headaches if your head pain is directly associated with TMJ disorder. There may also be other techniques like facial massages and adjusting your diet that can help relieve tension in your jaw joints.

Does TMJ disorder require surgery?

Not in all cases. Dr. Hartrick takes a non-surgical approach to treat TMJ disorder. If your newly established occlusion can be better maintained by rebuilding your bite, Dr. Hartrick may recommend replacing missing teeth or repairing broken or damaged teeth so that your occlusion is permanently stabilized. In most cases, however, Dr. Hartrick’s TMJ patients experience a great deal of relief from their customized TMJ splint.

TMJ Splint in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

If you’re tired of dealing with ongoing headaches or think that you may have TMJ disorder, schedule a consultation with Hartrick Dentistry by calling (248) 549-0950.

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Can you identify where your temporomandibular joint is? Here’s a hint; it’s a small, round joint that connects the jaws to the skull. Also known as TMJ disorder or TMD, this ailment is one of the most mysterious in all of medical science. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, making TMJ disorder one of the most difficult diagnoses to make across the entire spectrum of medical science. A neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Nancy Hartrick is the best qualified medical professional to identify or treat a case of TMJ disorder. In the meantime, today on the blog, check out this guide to determine if you may have TMJ disorder.

The complex challenge posed by TMJ disorder

One of the common symptoms of TMJ disorder is painful headaches that occur on a regular basis. In many cases, these headaches are misidentified by general practitioners of medicine as migraines. Such headaches do not respond well to migraine remedies because they are caused by TMJ disorder.

Symptoms of a case of TMJ disorder can manifest at various points throughout the body. The temporomandibular joint is unique; it is a hinging joint as well as a sliding joint, helping create the circular movement needed to chew food properly and fully. Many symptoms of TMJ disorder deal with the jaws: jaw pain, popping or clicking sounds emanating from the jaws or limited range of motion of the jaws.

Other frequently reported symptoms of TMJ disorder include ear aches or pain that emanates from the face, neck, or even the back and shoulders. Significant pain is perhaps the most frequently reported symptom of the disorder. This is because the temporomandibular joint is located in close proximity to the trigeminal nerve, which transmits more sensory information to the brain than any other neural pathway in the body.

Do I have TMJ disorder? Here is one way to find out…

You can perform a simple test at home to determine if you may suffer from TMJ disorder. First, place a finger over the joint in front of your ear. Next, slightly open your jaw. Open your jaws wider until you feel the joint under your finger begins to move. Does the joint feel tender from the pressure of your finger? Do you hear a grating, clicking, or crackling sound? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then there is probably an issue with your temporomandibular joint and should be evaluated at your earliest convenience by a neuromuscular dentist.

Neuromuscular dentistry in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

Usually, your general physician does not have the training to identify a case of TMJ disorder, while many dentists may possess the knowledge to identify a case of the disorder but lack the ability to provide treatment. An advanced specialization of dentistry, neuromuscular dentists have completed unique, intensive, and rigorous training that allows them to identify or restore the optimum alignment of your bite and jaw. Once this ideal alignment has been achieved, it removes any source of stress that may be impacting your temporomandibular joint, alleviating TMJ disorder and any of the other symptoms it may be causing.

Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer services in neuromuscular dentistry to her patients in Royal Oak, Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Michigan at Hartrick Dentistry. If you think you may have TMJ disorder or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of this ailment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hartrick today by calling (248) 549-0950.

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Jaw pain can be difficult to treat. Identifying the cause of the pain can be even more difficult. If you’re living with jaw pain, you also may be suffering from headaches, ringing in the ears or facial swelling. Jaw pain also can be present in combination with other symptoms, such as hearing a popping or clicking sound when your jaws open and close. Whether your pain is a dull steady throb, an overall tenderness or an occasional sharp and stabbing pain, discomfort in the jaws can disrupt your day-to-day life. That is why it is important to identify the cause so that proper treatment can be provided. Today on the blog, your Royal Oak neuromuscular dentist looks at jaw pain and some of the common causes.

6 Causes of jaw pain

1. Arthritis: This chronic condition wreaks havoc on the bones, tissues and ligaments that surround your joints – your jaw joints included. Arthritis in the jaw usually leads to pain that can become chronic. In order to treat arthritis in the temporomandibular joint, you must first be diagnosed, which entails an assessment and often X-rays, which should be reviewed by a medical practitioner who understands the mechanics of the jaw and orofacial system.
2. Sinus issues: Whether it’s caused by trauma, inflammation from sinus infections or allergies, a buildup of sinus pressure can cause pain in the jaw. This pain can be sudden or reoccurring.  Sinusitis possibly can be treated with over-the-counter medicines but a chronic sinus condition requires treatment from a qualified medical professional.
3. Injury or trauma: It’s important that if you sustained an injury due to a blow or impact to the jaw or face, you need to seek medical attention and have your jaw joints assessed. This will help ensure that your overall health and quality of living will not be affected in any way.
4. Bruxism: The clinical term for teeth grinding or clenching, bruxism often occurs due to anger or stress. While some people grind their teeth during the day it is more common at night while asleep, meaning the vast majority of people with bruxism never realize they are engaging in this habit. However, this grinding or clenching can wear down teeth and also throw off the alignment of the jaws, leading to jaw pain. You can resist your likelihood to grind your teeth by reducing your stress through meditation, regular exercise and other lifestyle changes.
5. An underlying dental problem: It is not unheard of for conditions such as gum disease, cavities, infected teeth, abscessed teeth, and tooth decay to cause jaw pain. These conditions all can affect the jaw directly while impacting your oral health.
6. Temporomandibular joint disorder: More commonly referred to as TMJ disorder, this condition occurs when the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull on either side of the head, enters a state of dysfunction. As the temporomandibular joint controls the ability of the jaws to open and close, it plays a crucial role in your ability to speak and chew. The symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary significantly from case to case but one of the most common symptoms is—you guessed it—jaw pain.

Identifying and treating jaw pain in Royal Oak and Birmingham in Michigan

You do not have to continue living with jaw pain. Seek the care of a neuromuscular dentist to resolve this issue. Neuromuscular dentistry is an advanced specialization of dental science that focuses on the alignment of the bite as well as the jaws. This training makes a neuromuscular dentist the ideal choice to diagnose and treat cases of jaw pain. Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer her services in the specialty of neuromuscular dentistry. To schedule an appointment, call our office in Royal Oak at (248) 549-0950.

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Have you ever experienced a persistent ringing in the ears? What about chronic headaches, especially first thing in the morning, that respond poorly to even powerful pain relief medication? Maybe you hear clicking or popping sounds when your jaws open and close? Well, all of these seemingly separate issues can stem from the same cause – temporomandibular joint disorder. More commonly known as TMJ disorder, this is a serious ailment that requires treatment from a qualified medical professional … such as a neuromuscular dentist. In fact, a neuromuscular dentist is the best-qualified medical professional to provide both a proper diagnosis and effective treatment for TMJ disorder. Today on the blog, let’s learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and its importance.

What is neuromuscular dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw. It seeks to maintain the ideal alignment or, when issues occur, restore that alignment. Neuromuscular dentistry is not taught as part of the curriculum during dental school. Interested practitioners must pursue it on a post-graduate level, which involves intensive education and rigorous training.

A trained, experienced neuromuscular dentistry uses their wealth of knowledge to find or restore the ideal alignment and optimal resting position for your jaw. Once the correct alignment has been found, this will remove any other symptoms or oral health issues that developed due to the misalignment–such as a case of TMJ disorder.

How does a neuromuscular dentist identify and treat TMJ disorder?

By focusing on the root cause of this disorder – in other words, whatever is causing the temporomandibular joint to malfunction. This is a small, round joint that connects the jaw to the skull on either side of the head. The temporomandibular joint controls, among other things, the ability of the jaws to open and close.

If someone is experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, a neuromuscular dentist determines if the disorder actually is present. This diagnosis is made by combining their own education and training with state-of-the-art technology. If TMJ disorder is detected, a neuromuscular dentist provides treatment, usually through a course of oral appliance therapy. This entails wearing a customized oral appliance that repositions the jaws into their preferred alignment, alleviating whatever is leading the temporomandibular joint to malfunction.

When should I see a neuromuscular dentist?

Patients with severe or untreated TMJ disorder may experience debilitating levels of pain, or other symptoms that negatively affect appetite, sleep patterns, stress and create other issues that impede your daily life. You do not have to live with these problems. Instead, schedule a consultation with a trained neuromuscular dentist today.

TMJ disorder will not go away on its own. Left untreated or undiagnosed, the effects of this ailment will continue to worsen. Vertigo, pinched nerves, misaligned vertebrae or numbness in the extremities all could develop as consequences of a case of severe or long-standing TMJ disorder.

Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer neuromuscular dentistry services to her patients in Royal Oak, Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Michigan. Just call the office of Hartrick Dentistry at (248) 549-0950 to make your appointment.

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Are you familiar with temporomandibular joint disorder? Also commonly referred to as TMJ disorder, this occurs when there’s some sort of dysfunction with your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull on either side of your head. Living with this disorder often leads to chronic pain. It also can affect the alignment of your bite and jaws, but did you know that untreated TMJ disorder also can impact your sleep? Today on the blog, we explore how TMJ disorder can improve the quality of your sleep as well as your overall health.

Living with untreated TMJ disorder can cause systemic problems

The symptoms of TMJ disorder can cause issues throughout your body. For example, pain emanating from your jaws can start to radiate to other areas, including the head, face, neck, and shoulders. This pain can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep, as certain sleeping positions affect the alignment of the head and neck and can exacerbate existing pain from your TMJ disorder. If you sleep on your stomach or your side, this may be restful but is going to exacerbate your condition, making all your symptoms worsen with time.

Try sleeping on your back if you have TMJ disorder

There are several benefits to sleeping in this position to help manage your disorder. Sleeping on your back exerts less pressure on the jaw joints, and more support for your head, neck, and shoulders. It also reduces the likelihood you’ll grind your teeth or clench your jaw while asleep. If sleeping on your back isn’t natural or comfortable, try placing a small pillow under the arch of your back. A good mattress topper might be a smart addition as well; many of these toppers adjust to the contours of your body and help you adjust to sleeping on your back.

Treating TMJ disorder in Royal Oak and Birmingham in Michigan

TMJ disorder is one of the greatest diagnostic challenges in medical science because the symptoms can vary so widely from person to person. In truth, no two cases of TMJ disorder are the same. Your best resource for relief for TMJ disorder is a practitioner with training and experience in neuromuscular dentistry, a specialized area of dental science that focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw. Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer neuromuscular dentistry services to her patients at Hartrick Dentistry. If you or someone you love has TMJ disorder or is showing signs of this ailment, she can help through a course of oral appliance therapy, which entails wearing a customized mouthpiece to bring forward the lower jaw and restore the ideal alignment of the jaws—alleviating the stress on the temporomandibular joint that is causing the dysfunction.

Seek help for your TMJ disorder in Royal Oak and Birmingham in Michigan

Stop living with the pain, the lost sleep and all the other consequences that come from untreated TMJ disorder. Treatment through neuromuscular dentistry can provide the lasting relief and quality sleep that you need. Make your appointment at Hartrick Dentistry today by calling (248) 549-0950.

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

If you have temporomandibular joint disorder, this condition can harm the alignment of your bite and/or jaws. TMJ disorder also often causes significant pain, sometimes serious enough to be debilitating. Seeking the care of a qualified medical professional is crucial. However, finding the right practitioner to identify and treat a case of TMJ disorder can be just as difficult as it is to properly diagnose TMJ disorder. Today on the blog, we take a look at how your dentist treats TMJ disorder.

The importance of training

As mentioned, it is crucial to find a dentist who has the knowledge and training to correctly diagnose a case of TMJ disorder. This is because TMJ disorder often never gets diagnosed or is misdiagnosed. For example, the ailment often provokes headaches that occur regularly enough and with such severity that they can be misidentified as migraines. A dentist who wants to treat TMJ disorder needs to have training in neuromuscular dentistry, which focuses on the entire system of hard and soft tissue that resides in the mouth—emphasizing the alignment of the bite and jaws.

What signs of TMJ disorder should I watch for?

Any of the following issues can be evidence that you currently are suffering from this condition:  

• A persistent ringing in the ears
• Migraine headaches that do not respond fully to standard treatments for migraines
• Jaw pain
• Tooth pain that seems to migrate to different locations in the mouth
• Hearing a popping or clicking sound when your jaws open and close
• Pain in your neck and back, especially if treatment from your general physician or chiropractor has failed to provide lasting relief

The importance of proper treatment

If you suffer from TMJ disorder, you cannot merely “tough it out” or hope that the condition goes away. This is actually the worst decision you can make, as this just means the ailment will continue to worsen as time passes. In fact, failure to seek diagnosis and treatment only will exacerbate a case of TMJ. While the symptoms of this disorder can vary greatly from person to person, TMJ frequently causes pain—often of chronic and severe varieties, bad enough to impede your ability to function on a daily basis and complete regular tasks. Eventually, TMJ will continue to create problems throughout your body. The dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint will spread from the jaw joints to the adjacent musculature, blood vessels, and nerves, eventually impacting the face, neck, and even the spine.

Long-term consequences of untreated TMJ disorder may include:

• Pinched nerves
• Misaligned cervical vertebrae
• Numbness or tingling in extremities

Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder in Royal Oak and Birmingham in Michigan

TMJ disorder is a serious medical condition that only will be resolved by treatment from a qualified medical professional like Dr. Hartrick. Stop living with the pain and other issues that can stem from a case of untreated TMJ disorder. Unfortunately, many people with TMJ disorder never receive a proper diagnosis. That does not have to be your fate. Instead, if you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, make your appointment at Hartrick Dentistry today by calling (248) 549-0950.