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What is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) is the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull, and TMJ disorders are called TMD. Many factors can contribute to the development of TMD, including improperly placed orthodontics. It often begins in childhood, other possible causes may be; early bottle-feeding (before 9 months old), thumb sucking, or neuromuscular development problems. Due to widely varied symptoms, it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Some of the most common signs of TMD include:

  • Migraines or headaches
  • Tinnitus (ringing in ears) or earaches
  • Vertigo
  • Repeatedly fracturing teeth, dental crowns, and other restorations
  • Grinding or clenching teeth
  • Pain in the shoulders, upper cervical neck area, or behind the eyes
  • Popping sound or impaired functioning in the jaws

TMJ Treatment Options

We provide individualized, non-invasive, non-surgical TMJ treatment in Jacksonville. Splint therapy protects the joint from undue strain with a comfortable appliance. A dental orthotic is custom-made for each TMD patient. Depending on the nature of the condition, traditional dentistry, orthodontics, or a combination thereof may also be used. We have seen hundreds of patients taken completely off of long-term prescription pain medication. Relief from TMD can give you back your life. If you have been diagnosed with, or believe you may have this condition, schedule your appointment with Dr. Sixto today.

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Comprehensive Oral Health Care

The lower half of your head is a complicated, condensed network, the most complex area in the human body. The potential for diverse problems associated with this region is high. 

Physiologic dentistry is a comprehensive view of oral health, balance, and beauty by ensuring that the teeth and jaw's shape and position support natural pain-free function. When the underlying facial structures of the teeth and jaw are balanced, the result is a naturally beautiful smile and more youthful facial features.

Offering our patients their healthiest and most beautiful smiles requires having a thorough understanding of what is necessary to create symmetry and balance. We can address and improve the issue by diagnosing the underlying facial and dental imbalances.

    What's the Difference Between Physiologic Dentistry and Traditional Dentistry?

    While traditional dentistry focuses mainly on the hard tissues of the mouth (your teeth and bone), physiologic dentistry addresses your entire physical system as it relates to oral function. 
    This type of dentistry considers how the following relate to your overall posture and physiologic range of motion:

    • Hard tissues
    • Soft tissues
    • Muscles
    • Nerves

    A comprehensive evaluation will allow Admira Dentistry to accurately diagnose and develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs for optimal long-term dental health and comfort.

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    Your Ideal Jaw Position

    Finding your ideal jaw position is paramount before any final restoration begins. Doing so helps us prevent muscular imbalances that may otherwise lead to instability in teeth, bones, and overall body posture. Creating harmony in your jaw alignment corrects your bite and enables you to find relief from various issues that can frequently be related to TMD issues. 

    Admira Dentistry in Jacksonville can restore an entire mouth to proper form and function by assessing occlusion (bite position) and jaw muscles. Another metric involves supporting the temporomandibular joints' hard and soft tissue structures using Biopak technology. This gives us measurable data that helps us determine your ideal jaw position so that we can restore your mouth's beauty, health, and balance.

    Physiologic Dentistry The Utmost in Advanced TMD Care

    Physiologic dentistry techniques can benefit those with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).

    The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull, allowing your jaw to move. TMD can range from a misaligned bite to more severe and persistent problems like headaches, vertigo, and jaw or neck pain.

    TMJ disorder is marked by specific symptoms, ranging from intermittent to chronic and severe, including:

    • Aching in the teeth 
    • Headaches, including migraines 
    • Muscle spasms 
    • Jaw pain or tenderness 
    • Aching in or around the ear or face
    • Joint locking 
    • Clicking and popping sounds
    • Pain while chewing, swallowing, or talking
    • Neck or shoulder pain
    • Ear congestion
    • Loose teeth
    • Worn-down teeth
    • Forward head posturing
    • Ringing in the ears
    • Limited opening of the mouth
    • Tingling in the fingertips
    • Jaw pain
    • Cervical or neck problems

    When your teeth, muscles, and joints are aligned and in harmony, the symptoms associated with TMD can be effectively alleviated with TMJ treatment in Jacksonville, allowing you to enjoy lasting comfort and a restored quality of life. Our team is here to help you learn more about how physiologic dentistry can help you find relief from TMD pain. Simply reach out to our office and schedule your consultation today.

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    Advanced Technology, Working for You

    You deserve to experience total, conservative dental wellness with results that exceed your expectations. As such, we’re committed to bringing you the most state-of-the-art technology available so that we can offer you the next generation of oral care. For example:

    • Tools like a TENSing unit and the Biopak headgear enable us to collect measurable data to help us find your jaw's ideal position
    • New technology allows us to address your dental issues more quickly and with greater precision, less pain, and longer-lasting results
    • Computerized Jaw Tracking Instrumentation with the Biopak system is used to record jaw movements, the range of motion, path of closure, protrusive guidance, rest positions, habitual centric occlusion, and to determine freeway space
    • Electromyography will be used to monitor muscle function
    • Myo-Monitor (Low-Frequency TENS) relaxes hyperactive facial and jaw muscles
    • Tomography uses special radiographs to evaluate jaw joint condition and position
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    Choose Dr. Sixto for Complete & Total Restoration with Physiologic Dentistry

    Physiologic dentistry is one of the ways we're offering you the most cutting-edge care available. Our practice bridges the gap between oral and systemic health, bringing you to a place of beauty, health, and balance. 

    Dr. Sixto is dedicated to improving the quality of life of his patients by using modern technology and treatments to improve the lives of patients suffering from TMD. He uses physiologic dentistry to help align your teeth, muscles, and joints, alleviating the symptoms of TMD. Because of his high quality of patient care and expertise, he is known as a dentist of choice and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI Global). 

    To learn more about our comprehensive, conservative oral rehabilitation, contact our Jacksonville office and schedule your consultation today.

    TMJ FAQs

    Does TMJ disorder cause tooth sensitivity or wear?

    How long does TMJ treatment take?

    Can untreated TMJ disorder lead to long-term damage?

    What is the connection between TMJ disorders and sleep apnea?

    Is TMD caused by stress?

    How do I know if I need TMD treatment or another dental service?

    Does TMJ disorder cause tooth sensitivity or wear?

    Yes, grinding and clenching are common TMJ symptoms. Which can lead to enamel wear, microfractures, and increased tooth sensitivity. A custom appliance not only relieves joint stress but protects your smile from further damage.

    How long does TMJ treatment take?

    Treatment time varies depending on the severity of your condition and the approach taken. Some patients find relief within weeks, while others may require ongoing care for more complex cases.

    Can untreated TMJ disorder lead to long-term damage?

    Yes. When left untreated, TMJ dysfunction can worsen over time, potentially leading to chronic jaw pain, limited jaw mobility, headaches, worn or fractured teeth, and even joint degeneration. Early treatment can help avoid more invasive procedures later.

    What is the connection between TMJ disorders and sleep apnea?

    Poor jaw alignment can contribute to airway obstruction during sleep. In some cases, TMJ disorders and sleep apnea go hand-in-hand. We often evaluate both together to determine if an oral appliance could improve jaw positioning and nighttime breathing.

    Is TMD caused by stress?

    Stress doesn’t directly cause TMD, but it often contributes to it. Increased stress can lead to jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism), which places extra pressure on the TMJ and surrounding muscles, potentially triggering or worsening TMD symptoms.

    How do I know if I need TMD treatment or another dental service?

    Our thorough evaluation process at Admira Dentistry helps determine if your symptoms stem from TMD or another dental concern. We'll walk you through our findings and personalized recommendations to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.

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