Suffering from headaches?
Many headaches are caused by muscle tension due to jaw misalignment. Dr Van Treese has received extensive training to assist him in diagnosis and treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms that may indicate a headache is from a dental problem?

• Headaches in the temple area

• Pain behind the eyes

• Sore jaw muscles or tires muscles upon awakening

• Teeth grinding

• Clicking or popping jaw joints

• Head and scalp is painful to the touch

• Earaches or ringing in the ears

• Neck, shoulder or back pain

How is TMJ disorder diagnosed?

The actual diagnosis is made by a TMD trained dentist who accumulates and analyzes all of the information from your patient history. You will be asked a series of questions to better guide the dentist in the evaluation of your conditions.

Questions may include:

Where is your pain most generally felt?

How long have you had the pain?

Would you describe the pain as aching, burning or stabbing?

Is the pain worse at any particular time of day?

What eases the pain for you?

What makes the pain worse?

What medications have you taken for the pain?

Does it hurt to chew?

Has your jaw ever popped or locked?

Have you noticed any crookedness in your jaw?

Do you clench or grind your teeth?

What type of treatment is available?

Most patients will need to have a custom splint made for the initial part of the treatment. This is a hard or soft plastic device which is worn over either the lower or upper teeth for around three months. This helps to re-align your bite and allow the muscles to relax. Most patients will begin seeing headache pain relief after wearing the splint for about six weeks. After the three month period is concluded, the dentist will carefully adjust the surfaces of your teeth so that your bite will correspond with the alignment from wearing the splint. This will reestablish a harmony in the mouth causing the temporomandibular joint to seat properly and function normally, causing headaches to subside.