Contact Rye Smiles for Life in Fairfax, also serving patients in the Arlington / Washington , D.C. area who suffer from TMJ disorders, for your free copy of The Three Secrets for Finding the Ideal Cosmetic Dentist. When you contact us, we can also schedule you for an appointment with our neuromuscular dentist.
D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S., P.C.
10614 Warwick Ave.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 888.822.3394
Fax: 703.591.9408
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Fairfax, Arlington, and Washington, D.C. — TMJ Treatment by Our Neuromuscular Dentist
Many people who suffer from headaches, chronic neck or facial pain, or even ringing in the ears do not know that their bite may be to blame. Only a trained neuromuscular dentist can tell if an incorrect bite is causing these problems. Our state-of-the-art application of neuromuscular techniques can help relieve such pain, and the results are often immediate, dramatic, and life-changing! Patients throughout Northern Virginia, as well as the Arlington / Washington, D.C. area, visit our Fairfax practice for TMJ treatment from our specialist and neuromuscular dentist, D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S.
- What is TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
- What Causes TMD?
- How Our Neuromuscular Dentist Can Help
- TMJ Treatment
- Non-surgical Dental Facelift
What is TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
TMJ disorder (TMD) refers to a range of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the point at which the jaw opens and closes. These conditions also affect the nerves and muscles of the face, and can lead to chronic pain and other problems. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Clicking, popping, or grinding when moving the jaws
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Earache without an infection
- Grinding teeth
- Restricted range of movement, “locking” of the jaw, or difficulty opening or closing the mouth
What Causes TMD?
Although it is not known exactly what causes TMD, there are many factors that can lead to TMJ-related problems. Stress, a misaligned bite, injury, arthritis, or a combination of these factors can lead to pain and discomfort associated with TMD. Clenching or grinding of the teeth, called bruxism, can also cause muscle fatigue, spasms, and pain. Over time, these problems can affect the joints, resulting in tissue damage and even more pain.
It is important to have this condition properly diagnosed by a trained TMJ specialist who can ensure patients receive the proper treatment. Patients living in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax and the Arlington / Washington, D.C. area, should contact TMJ specialist and neuromuscular dentist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S. to schedule an examination.
How Our Neuromuscular Dentist Can Help
TMJ-related problems are typically caused by an improper bite (occlusion), which puts excess strain on the muscles of the face and joints in the jaw. A traditional dentist is primarily concerned with how the teeth fit together. However, the bite is affected not only by the teeth, but also by the facial muscles and temporomandibular joints. A neuromuscular dentist takes into account all three of these elements - the joints, muscles, and teeth - and, through treatment, seeks to bring them into a harmonious relationship for a correct bite. As an experienced neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Rye uses many methods to help ease the symptoms of TMD, beginning with the proper diagnosis.
Diagnosing TMJ Disorder
Dr. Rye employs Neuromuscular Dentistry and a variety of non-invasive electronic instruments to evaluate his patients’ bites and determine if the bite is the cause of any pain. Dr. Rye uses a computerized bite analysis to evaluate how the teeth, muscles, and joints work together in a patient’s mouth, and how to treat any problems she or he may be experiencing. By using a computer to analyze bite, Dr. Rye can create a highly accurate digitalized tracing of your jaw movements to help explain the causes of your problem.
Some patients may wear a dental orthosis - a custom-made plastic appliance that fits over the natural teeth to help maintain a proper bite - to help Dr. Rye determine whether or not TMD is the cause of their pain. If the symptoms decrease after wearing the orthosis for a specific amount of time, then the bite is most likely the cause of the problems. Dr. Rye will then create a Personalized Dental Plan to permanently reposition and correct your bite, which will alleviate your TMJ symptoms.
Having TMD properly diagnosed by a neuromuscular dentist or TMJ specialist is critical for patients to receive proper care. Contact Rye Smiles for Life in Fairfax to schedule a TMJ consultation and learn more about the problems caused by an incorrect bite.
TMJ Treatment
Treatment to improve TMJ symptoms may include reshaping or straightening the teeth, use of muscle relaxants, or the use of mouth guards. Depending on the severity of the condition, TMJ treatment may be as simple as avoiding certain types of sticky foods, or it may require several steps over the course of several months.
Some of the non-invasive methods of TMJ treatment include:
- Physical therapy
- Posture training
- Stress management and relaxation techniques to control muscle tension
- Taking muscle relaxants, analgesics, or anti-inflammatory drugs
- Avoiding chewing gum, moist heat, or ice
- Eating only soft foods
Dr. Rye also uses neuromuscular and restorative dentistry to treat TMJ symptoms by permanently realigning the bite, such as:
- Replacement of worn-down teeth or defective restorations that cause an improper bite
- Use of bite plates to reduce clenching and grinding of the teeth while placing the jaws in a proper position
- Occlusal equilibration (adjusting the bite) to remove interferences where the teeth touch to help them fit together properly
- Orthodontics to place teeth in a proper position
- Surgery
Patients throughout Virginia, including the Arlington / Washington, D.C. area, can learn more about TMJ treatment by consulting our experienced neuromuscular dentist D. Gordon Rye. Contact Rye Smiles for Life today to schedule a TMJ consultation.
Smile Rejuvenation for a Non-surgical Dental Facelift
Many of the methods used to treat TMJ disorders, restore dental structures, and improve the bite also lead to an improved facial appearance. In fact, patients frequently report a lifting effect to the face after undergoing TMJ treatment. Dr. Rye is using these same techniques to not only to improve the symptoms of TMJ disorders, but may also take years off a patient’s appearance. Now we can rejuvenate smiles and achieve age-minimizing results similar to a facelift!
Missing or worn-down teeth can cause the lower portions of the face to shrink, leading to a sunken appearance, and receded jaw and chin. Restoring and replacing damaged or lost teeth can improve bite and jaw alignment, giving support to the face and providing a “lift” to sunken features. This non-surgical dental facelift adds length to the lower face and achieves a more pronounced jaw line; it can even reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Contact Rye Smiles for Life in Fairfax to learn how TMJ treatment methods can be used to help achieve a more youthful appearance!
Contact Our Fairfax Practice to Speak with a TMJ Specialist
Patients often travel from the Arlington / Washington, D.C. area for TMJ treatment from our Fairfax neuromuscular dentist and TMJ specialist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S. Contact Rye Smiles for Life today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rye and find out if TMJ treatment can help you.