Dr Richard Klein, dentist, founded Michigan Head and Neck Institute, a medical clinic that treats patients suffering from sleep apnea and TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders, also called TMJ). Why did Dr. Klein decide to move away from routine dentistry and focus on these issues instead? His life changed in 1994 when a vehicle collision resulted in back injuries that ended his ability to practice.
Undeterred from pursuing medicine, Dr. Klein directed his attention to learning about pain management, eventually completing more than 2,000 hours in post-graduate study. During this time, he realized there was a real need for TMJ and sleep apnea specialists.
Seeing a Health Care Need
Two factors spurred Dr. Klein to open his healthcare clinic. The first was witnessing an increase in the number of people experiencing TMD symptoms. The second was the strides made in treatment options for these patients. Since many people may not recognize the cause of their symptoms, Dr. Klein saw an opportunity to connect sufferers with the correct information and tools to alleviate their pain. He also began to offer treatment for sleep apnea after seeing a similar situation for those patients.
Can a Dentist Diagnose TMJ?
A TMJ dentist can diagnose TMJ. In fact, they are the professionals most qualified to make the diagnosis. Doctors often don’t understand TMJ and traditional dentists may downplay the significance of symptoms.
However, TMJ dentists will take your condition seriously and take the necessary steps to diagnose it. Diagnosis typically depends on a medical history, a thorough exam, and advanced imagery.
Medical History and TMJ Symptoms
A TMJ dentist will start by taking your medical history and learning about your symptoms. They will want to know about previous medical diagnoses that might be a misdiagnosis of TMJ disorder. Other conditions of interest are linked to TMJ and might include sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and back pain. A TMJ dentist will also ask about prior accidents, such as car accidents, that may have damaged your jaw joints. It doesn’t require a blow to the jaw to cause TMJ; jaw whiplash is often enough.
Your TMJ dentist will also ask about your symptoms, such as:
- Clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism)
- Facial pain
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Headaches
- Ear symptoms
See a more complete list on our TMJ page.
Thorough TMJ Exam
A TMJ dentist will perform a thorough TMJ exam after listening to your medical history and describing your symptoms. They will watch you open and close your jaw while listening to sounds and ask if they see typical or unusual jaw motion.
Your TMJ dentist can learn a lot about your condition through touch. They will ask your permission to touch your face, jaw, head, neck, and any other place you have symptoms. They may poke and press, asking about your level of pain and feeling how muscles, bones, and joints respond to movement.
Detailed Imaging
Sometimes TMJ diagnosis depends on aspects of the jaw that aren’t visible or palpable on the outside. There are many different imaging tools that TMJ dentists can use to learn more about your TMJ, including:
- Panoramic x-rays
- CBCT
- MRI
- Ultrasound
Panoramic X-rays look at the entire jaw system, from one temporomandibular joint to the other, along with all the teeth. CBCT (cone beam computed technology) is also a variation on X-rays, but it uses a series of X-rays from different angles to construct a 3D model of your jaw. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnetic fields to look primarily at soft tissue, which may not appear as well on X-rays. Ultrasound is also a good tool for looking at soft tissue.
Combining the results of a diverse suite of imaging with your medical history and exam findings, a TMJ dentist can usually give a definitive TMJ diagnosis.
What Can a Dentist Do for TMJ?
A TMJ dentist has many options for TMJ treatment. Common treatments for TMJ include:
- Pain relievers
- Stress management
- Muscle relaxants
- TENS
- Physical therapy
- Trigger point injections (TPI)
- Bite splint (orthotic)
Pain relievers are a good starting point for TMJ treatment. Often, people start using these at home before seeking professional help for their TMJ symptoms. For many people, TMJ is linked with stress, so stress management is often a strategy used to control the condition. Your TMJ dentist might recommend relaxation techniques, but they might refer you to a mental health professional for a more thorough treatment of stress.
Most TMJ symptoms relate to muscle pain and muscle activity. Sometimes, muscle relaxants can effectively relieve symptoms and give your body the freedom to heal. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a kind of electrical massage that can relax tense jaw muscles. Physical therapy can sometimes help you work through the problems with your jaw motion to relieve sore jaw muscles.
One of the things that makes TMJ hard to treat is the fact that the source of pain is often not where you feel the pain. This means that you might need treatment far from where you think the pain is. Trigger point injections (TPI) involve injecting medication at the points that are the true source of the pain you’re feeling. Dr. Klein studied TPI with a pioneer of the technique, Janet Travell.
Finally, TMJ dentists often utilize a bite splint, also known as an orthotic. This oral device will hold your jaw in a comfortable resting position to help relieve your TMJ symptoms.
What Type of Dentist Treats TMJ?
The treatment of TMJ disorders is not a recognized dental specialty, and all dentists are free to offer TMJ treatment, regardless of their training, background, and experience. On the one hand, this makes it easy to find a dentist willing to help you with your TMJ, but it also means that you have to be careful when choosing a TMJ dentist.
To determine whether a dentist is a good option for treating your TMJ, look for:
- Education and certification
- Experience
- Testimonials
Although general dentists receive some training in TMJ treatment in dental school, you should choose a TMJ dentist with additional training from a dedicated program, such as the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. Ensure the dentist achieved a credential like Fellowship, Diplomat, or Master of Excellence. This shows that they completed a course of study and didn’t just take a few classes.
TMJ treatment is often a subtle art, and dentists get better at it with practice. Choose a TMJ dentist who has been practicing in the field for several years.
Finally, testimonials are the best way to determine whether a TMJ dentist is good at helping their patients. A dentist should have good reviews and testimonials that describe how the dentist helped them. Look for specific descriptions of how people got relief from their treatment.
Contact Dr. Klein in Detroit
If you’re experiencing jaw pain or other TMJ symptoms, don’t wait any longer to seek help. Dr. Richard Klein and the team at the Michigan Head and Neck Institute are dedicated to providing effective treatment tailored to your needs. With extensive training and a deep understanding of TMJ disorders, Dr. Klein is committed to helping you find relief and improve your quality of life. Take the first step toward a pain-free future by scheduling a consultation today. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive TMJ diagnosis and treatment options. Your journey to comfort starts here!
