TMD Diagnosis

Diagnosing a TMJ/TMD problem can be very challenging, especially without high-tech jaw tracking equipment. The lack of proper neuromuscular training is another reason why TMJ often goes undiagnosed. At Towamencin Dentistry, our Lansdale TMJ dentist has extensive training in effective diagnostic methods, so you know your neuromuscular problems are being handled with skill and expertise.

Your Comprehensive TMJ Evaluation

If you are complaining of TMJ/TMD symptoms, Dr. Sulzbach will start with a full oral examination. He will use a series of physical tests to see how the jaw moves in relation to certain activities like chewing and speaking. We will test the severity of your symptoms and observe which motions exacerbate or alleviate the pain. TMJ can be an elusive condition, because it often shows few if any symptoms.

Neuromuscular Technology for Accurate Diagnosis

Dr. Stephen Sulzbach uses the amazing K7 Monitor to get an in-depth view of the inner workings of your jaw. This system helps us evaluate the way the jaw joints interact with the muscles, ligaments, tendons and teeth so we can correctly identify any problems. Dr. Sulzbach will also use digital X-rays, health history information, muscle function observation, and motion performance studies to determine the origin of your imbalanced bite. In some cases, we may refer you to ENT or other specialist if we feel your problem is beyond the scope of neuromuscular dentistry.

Symptoms to Watch For

The list of TMJ symptoms is long and involves obscure issues like numbness in the hands or ringing in the ears. Below, we discuss a few of the common symptoms to help you understand how they can present and worsen. For a full list of problems that can originate from a bad bite, please set up a free neuromuscular consultation with Dr. Sulzbach.

• Headaches
  Recurring headaches are one of the most common complaints submitted by neuromuscular patients. They may be minor or migraine status, but can become more and more frequent as time goes by. TMJ headaches are caused by stress and tension in the jaw that affects the blood vessels of the brain.
• Joint, Head, Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain
  Perhaps the most difficult to deal with, chronic pain in the jaw, head, and neck can wear away at a person’s ability to perform routine activities and can contribute to poor posture.
• Jaw Noises
  An imbalanced bite often causes clicking or popping noises in the jaw. Besides being distracting, these sounds indicate that the components of the jaw are not operating smoothly and could lead to bigger issues.
• Loose Teeth and Frequent Dental Problems
  A malocclusion is a condition where the teeth are not coming together as they should. When this happens, certain teeth may suffer damage and require cosmetic restoration.

If you are concerned that you might have a jaw joint problem, it will not cost you anything to talk to our Lansdale neuromuscular dentist. Dr. Stephen Sulzbach would be happy spend some time with you to discuss your issues and your options for treatment.

To schedule a personal neuromuscular dentistry consultation at our location near Lansdale, Pennsylvania, please contact our dental team today.