SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, CA
Nothing disrupts your day like a bad headache. Unfortunately, many people experience chronic headaches, which impede their ability to go about their routine or just enjoy their daily life. Are you experiencing frequent painful headaches and struggling to find relief? There may be an underlying cause for your problem that your dentist can solve. The culprit behind your headaches might be temporomandibular joint disorder. In this article, learn how your Scotts Valley TMJ dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry explore this phenomenon and how we can help.
What is temporomandibular joint disorder?
This disorder occurs when your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull on both sides of your head, malfunctions. You also may have seen this ailment referred to as TMD or TMJ disorder. Once an issue develops with the temporomandibular joint, it starts causing problems—usually, jaw pain or problems opening and closing your jaws spread throughout your head or neck.
How does TMJ disorder lead to headaches?
Your temporomandibular joint is located very close in your head to your trigeminal nerve, which transmits more sensory information to your brain than any other neural pathway in the body—even including the spinal cord. When TMJ disorder develops, it can aggravate or compress the surrounding nerves and musculatures. The proximity of the trigeminal nerve means it often is affected by TMJ disorder. If this happens, the trigeminal nerve sends pain impulses to your brain, similar to the effect that occurs when you get a headache. TMJ disorder also can cause pain in the mouth, neck, and shoulders. The overall strain on your orofacial system can lead to a headache as well.
How Your Dentist Can Treat Headaches
The first step is determining whether you have TMJ disorder, which could be contributing to your frequent headaches. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, our dentists Dr. Max and Dr. Ariana, specialize in neuromuscular dentistry in Scotts Valley, which focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw. Both our dentists underwent rigorous education and training in neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, considered the finest post-graduate institution for dental study in the country.
They put that specialized knowledge to use to examine your bite pattern and jaw alignment, determining their ideal positioning, and also identify whether a case of TMJ disorder is present. This diagnosis process involves the use of the K7, a leading-edge computer program that tracks the movements, sounds, and function of the jaw. From there, we can treat your TMJ disorder by finding your ideal neuromuscular alignment, alleviating whatever is stressing your temporomandibular joint, and thus eradicating any symptoms you may be experiencing, including headaches. Treatment options include oral appliance therapy, functional orthodontics, myofunctional therapy, placement of crowns or veneers, and more. Treatment recommendations are based on each specific case.
Treating TMJ Headaches in Scotts Valley
You have been living long enough with your chronic headaches. Get relief at last and get screened for TMJ disorder by one of our neuromuscular dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry. To schedule your consultation, visit us online or call (831) 438-4411 if you live in the areas of Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley in California.
