TMJ / TMD Headaches

Everyone gets headaches, but some people experience ongoing migraine-like headaches that do not seem to subside with pain relievers. If you are suffering with this type of condition and have not had success with traditional medical treatments, it may be time to explore neuromuscular dentistry techniques.

Neuromuscular dentist Dr. Walter Palmer has received training from the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in order to offer his patients top-notch diagnosis and treatment for headaches and other symptoms stemming from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD).

Temporomandibular Joint

There are two ball and socket temporomandibular joints located on each side of your head that connect the jaw to the skull. When either or both of these jaw joints become damaged or irritated, the jaw can slip out of alignment. This is often very subtle and can occur slowly over time. Some reasons why the jaw joints become damaged include:

  • Trauma or injury
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Tooth grinding (bruxism)
  • TMJ disk erosion
  • Arthritis

Connection between Headaches and TMJ

TMJ headaches are often confused with migraines, but most TMJ headaches are actually a type of tension headache. When the jaw joint becomes misaligned, the person may subconsciously contract their jaw muscles to compensate for the discomfort. This continual muscle contraction will eventually lead to headaches as well as other TMJ symptoms, including:

  • Other pain, discomfort and decreased functionality in the jaw and ears
  • Pain that extends down the neck and shoulders

TMJ Headache Treatment

In order to treat a TMJ headache, it is necessary to first properly diagnose the problem. Dr. Palmer implements state-of-the-art neuromuscular dentistry techniques to identify whether or not a patient’s jaw is out of alignment. He can then use specialized equipment such as the Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit to reveal the patient’s optimal jaw placement. From that point Dr. Palmer will devise a unique plan to help keep the jaw in alignment, implementing such techniques as:

  • Custom mouth guards
  • Corrective dental procedures
  • Stress management and relaxation techniques
  • Medications

No one should have to live with persistent headaches. If you think TMJ may be the culprit behind your headaches, please contact neuromuscular dentist Dr. Walter Palmer at his Bloomington, Minnesota River Bluff Dental office today to arrange a consultation.

Actual Patients