TMJ Treatments

TMJ dentist Dr. Siman in Sherman Oaks & Beverly Hills California, can determine the cause of your TMJ symptoms by conducting a series of diagnostic tests. Using sophisticated technology Dr. Siman can interpret tempromandibular joint (TMJ) masticatory (chewing) muscle activity and the path of movement the jaw follows in function. This information allows Dr. Eddie Siman, Los Angeles TMJ specialist, to find the most relaxed physiologic position for the jaw. Combined with tomography (specialized jaw joint x-ray), this helps determine the best bite for comfort and aesthetics.

If your TMJ is mild and is detected early, the first treatments Dr. Siman may recommend are lifestyle and dietary changes.

With Dr. Siman’s advanced studies and expert training at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI) institute for TMJ and full-mouth reconstruction dentistry, he has become a renowned doctor worldwide. In his Millennium Dental practice near Beverly Hills, he takes the utmost care to add to your comfort. In his diagnosis, Dr. Siman determines if your bite is significantly contributing to your symptoms. He can create a provisional new bite for you that will alleviate your symptoms and also make you feel comfortable.

Dr. Siman believes, it is important for you to be comfortable with the new bite before a commitment is made to receive full mouth reconstruction. If Dr. Siman’s assessment indicates that your symptoms of jaw pain, neck pain and/or headaches can be improved with corrective bite (occlusal) treatment, he may use an orthotic first to stimulate the corrected-bite position. An orthotic is simply a comfortable repositioning appliance that can be bonded to your teeth and act as an extension of your teeth. It not only alleviates your symptoms but also improves the function and aesthetics of your teeth. Once patients experience significant relief from symptoms and obtain the desired results, then Dr Siman may recommend full mouth reconstruction to sustain the optimal bite permanently. To read about more options in full mouth reconstruction, click here.

To Reduce the Amount of Wear and Injury to the Joint:

• Chew food evenly on both sides of the mouth
• Avoid chewing gum
• Eat soft foods- avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods
• Avoid clenching and grinding your teeth
• Practice good posture – hold your head up with your neck and shoulders in good alignment.

To Promote the Healing Process:

• Apply warm, moist heat to both joints for 30 minutes.
• Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine such as Advil twice a day as recommended to reduce the inflammation.
• If the problem is that your teeth are not aligned properlyor if grinding teeth at night is the problem, Dr. Siman may refer you to an orthodontist to correct the problem. The orthodontist may give you a special bite plate(splint) to wear when you sleep.
• Surgery is the last option, and is rarely performed. It is only done in extremely painful cases or when there is severe damage to the joints.

Learn more about TMJ & Migraine Therapy:

What is TMJ?
What Causes TMJ?
What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction?
How is TMJ Treated?
TMJ Before & After Photos