Up to 90% of all adults suffer from tension headaches. Tension, migraine and cluster headaches, also known as primary headaches, are not life-threatening but in some cases they can be debilitating.
Headaches can also be caused by sinus infections, the flu, meningitis, stroke, brain tumor, poor vision, withdrawal symptoms or other medical conditions. These are known as secondary headaches and may require medical attention.
Primary headaches are frequently associated with bruxism, clenching or grinding of the teeth or even sleeping with the jaws in the wrong position. These headaches may also be related to posture and a poor-fitting bite. They may be associated with TMD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Dr. Lynn A. Jones is an accomplished general and cosmetic dentist in the Seattle / Bellevue area who specializes in providing relief to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) patients who suffer from associated conditions, including headaches.
TMJ disorder affects the hinge jaw joint that connects to the lower part of the skull, the surrounding muscles and the jaw itself. Bellevue and Seattle TMJ disorder patients often experience pain and discomfort caused by the misalignment of the jaw, including difficulty chewing or speaking, swelling, toothaches, hearing problems and mild to severe headaches.
TMJ Headache Treatment with Dr. Jones
When patients enter Dr. Jones’ office citing headaches or pain in the face and jaw, she administers tests to determine if patients suffer from malocclusion, also known as bad bite. She may also create a mold impression of patients’ bites to study the jaw movement and joint closure in great detail. Dr. Jones may also request X-rays and other dental exams. Using this information, Dr. Jones determines the cause of the headache or TMJ disorder and develops a personalized approach to treat the condition.
Depending on the extent of the TMJ disorder, Dr. Jones may recommend patients receive tooth restoration for deteriorating teeth that are severely impacting the patient’s bite, which can include porcelain veneers and dental implants. In other instances, she may give her Seattle TMJ patients a dental appliance, such as a mouthguard, deprogrammer or NTI, to relieve the pain and also prevent tooth grinding and clenching, and thereby easing the development of worn teeth that contribute to TMJ disorder. As an experienced Seattle TMJ treatment specialist, Dr. Jones may also include orthodontics to correct for crooked teeth that place stress on the jaw. She also offers physical therapy treatments for stress management and medications to ease the discomfort that TMJ disorder patients experience.
Dr. Jones understands that patients may experience apprehension or dental anxiety when undergoing treatment for TMJ in the Seattle / Bellevue area, which is why she offers conscious sedation dentistry — a relaxing and comforting dentistry technique that puts patients at ease during their procedure.
One of the latest advancements in TMJ treatment includes Botox injections, a practice Dr. Jones is proud to incorporate into her treatment options. TMJ treatment with Botox injections inserts small amounts of Botox into the muscles that move the jaw, blocking certain nerve signals and easing muscle tension in the jaw.
In severe cases if patients fail to respond properly to the aforementioned treatments, she may suggest a surgical procedure, such as arthrocentesis, arthroscopy or open-joint surgery. These surgical treatments reshape joint tissue and reposition the disc in the joint hinge.
Treating TMJ Headaches with Top Seattle Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Jones
Because each TMJ treatment plan is unique to reflect a patient’s individual condition, recovering from TMJ treatment varies. Some patients return to their daily activities within a few days, while others need one to two weeks of rest before returning to work. After undergoing TMJ treatment with Dr. Jones, she gives patients a detailed outline of post-treatment care to ensure patients recover quickly with optimal results.
Dr. Jones and her dedicated dental team are devoted to ensuring patient satisfaction, and will continue helping patients until they reach their desired dental goals. Dr. Jones holds extensive expertise in the jaw and the temporomandibular joint disorders, and lends her knowledge to every TMJ treatment procedure to ensure patients experience relief from TMJ symptoms and improve their health.
TMJ Headache Relief in Seattle / Bellevue with Dr. Jones
TMJ is a structural disorder that can cause discomfort and pain which interfere with a patient’s life. Dr. Jones takes pride in freeing patients from headaches and other discomforts with an individually tailored TMJ treatment plan. She works in conjunction with TMJ Seattle / Bellevue patients’ dental insurance companies to ensure the treatment patients’ needs are affordable and available to everyone. To learn more about TMJ headache treatment in Seattle and Bellevue, and to schedule a complimentary consultation about headaches, TMJ or teeth grinding with Dr. Jones, please contact her office at (425) 688-1345.