Few dentists and physicians are trained and experienced at diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Dr. Cappy Sinclair and Dr. Mark Reichley of Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Virginia Beach have completed advanced post graduate training to learn the fundamentals of TMJ disorders as well as the latest techniques for treating this complex condition.
The chronic pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can put significant limitations on your life. You deserve to look and feel your best.
About TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), commonly called TMJ disorder, is a broad term used to describe a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms for TMJ disorder vary greatly from one patient to another and often mask themselves or are similar to those of other medical conditions, making diagnosis extremely difficult.
Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may have TMJ disorder
Do you experience frequent, unexplained headaches commonly present upon waking?
Do you have chronic shoulder, neck or facial pain?
Does your jaw click or pop when you open or close it?
Have you ever had a locked jaw or do you sometimes experience limited mobility in the jaw joint?
Do you clench or grind your teeth?
Have you noticed that your teeth are worn, have small chips or fractures?
Do you have frequent earaches without ear infection?
TMJ Treatment What to Expect
TMJ treatment is entirely dependent on the patient and their specific diagnosis. Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Reichley offer a wide range of treatments from splint therapy and night guards to bite correction procedures.
Balancing The Bite
Many of the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction are related to malocclusion, or a bad bite. If your teeth don’t make proper contact, it can contribute to many other problems including tooth wear, headaches, facial pain and issues with the TMJ.
Oral Appliance Therapy for TMJ
An oral appliance is a removable device that helps to keep the teeth and jaw in proper position during sleep and prevent teeth grinding or clenching. The oral appliance may be a splint, mouth guard or night guard. These devices can alleviate the most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and prevent potential problems such as tooth wear, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Cosmetic Dentistry
In addition, any damage that may have resulted from TMJ disorder can be corrected. Teeth may be corrected with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or other types of dental restorations.
Our Technology
One of the most important tools we use in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ Disorders is the T-Scan, digital bite analysis. Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Reichley are among a handful of dentists in the Virginia Beach area using this type of digital technology.
Digital Bite Analysis
The T-Scan measures both the force and timing of tooth contacts, allowing Dr. Sinclair or Dr. Reichley to get a clear picture of your bite in just seconds. You simply bite down on a wafer thin sensor and the digital software records the timing and force of the bite. The information is instantly sent to a computer to be analyzed and used in the diagnosis of bite problems and TMJ disorders.
Traditional methods for analyzing a patient’s bite were highly ineffective. Either the dentist relied on a visual assessment or used articulating paper to mark the location of tooth contacts. Neither of these methods were suitable for determining the order in which teeth make contact or their relative strength.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are looking for a dentist that is highly trained with TMJ disorders near Chesapeake, VA, Norfolk, VA or Virginia Beach, schedule an appointment with Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry today!
No. Many TMJ treatments are conservative and non-invasive in nature, and do not require oral surgery. Some are even painless. Only those with severe TMJ issues and other underlying concerns will likely need oral surgery.
TMJ treatment can span across multiple dentistry disciplines. Some TMJ treatments may include restorative dentistry, which can be covered by dental insurance. What is covered is ultimately up to your dental insurance provider. We also provide dental financing options so that anyone can afford great quality dental care.
A TMJ disorder can leave your teeth damaged, jaw misaligned, and throw off your bite pattern. We can fix all of the effects that TMJ leaves behind with restorative dental treatments and cosmetic dentistry. Worn teeth can be treated with crowns and veneers, jaw misalignment can be treated with mouthguards and Invisalign, and so on.
