Frequently Asked Questions by TMJ Patients
We haven’t heard it all. But we have heard quite a few frequently asked questions. See if your question is answered below. You can also contact our office.
Q: I need braces but my jaw hurts. What should I do?
A: It is nearly impossible to relieve jaw pain with braces. You really need to have the jaw pain treated before braces. Learn more about why your jaw hurts.
Q: My jaws used to pop and click all the time. That stopped a while ago but now I cannot open wide. Why is that?
A: The “popping” sound that you used to hear is the disc sliding on and sliding off the jaw bone. If you don’t hear any more popping sounds, that means that the disk is not sliding back on the jaw bone and is now stuck. This is not a healthy position for the jaw joints. Read this article about jaw joints popping.
Q: I have headaches almost daily. Can this be related to my jaw joints?
A: Perhaps. It really depends on the nature of your headaches and what is causing them. If they are caused because of an imbalance in the jaw joints or muscles, then the answer would be yes. If you have a neurovascular headache (like a Migraine), the answer would be no. Read about different types of headaches here.
Q: My spouse snores all the time. Is this a health risk?
A: If it is pure snoring (or Primary Snoring) then no. But most types of snoring increase the workload on the heart and the cardiovascular system which is a major health concern. Also, snoring may progress to obstructive sleep apnea, a more serious form of breathing disorder.
Q: My child snores and breathes loudly while sleeping. Is this normal?
A: Snoring in children is not normal. It can be a sign of developing sleep apnea in the child. Snoring in children causes the cardiovascular system to work overtime while the child is sleeping. Have your child see an ENT specialist for possible removal of tonsils and adenoids. Some children also need early orthodontics to promote a larger airway to develop as the child is growing. Learn more about children and sleep apnea.
Q: Does insurance cover TMJ, Sleep apnea, or Headache therapy?
A: The answer varies widely depending on your insurance coverage. Treatment for sleep apnea is usually a covered medical procedure. In other words, your medical insurance will more than likely pay (at least partially) for the treatment. Some insurances also provide coverage for the treatment of TMJ disorders and headaches as well. Consulting your insurance coverage policy will help answer this question. Learn more about insurance.
Q: How much does treatment cost?
A: The cost of your treatment depends on the nature and severity of your disorder. However, we offer financing to make treatment more affordable.
Q: Is CPAP my only option for dealing with sleep apnea?
A: The answer depends mainly on the severity of sleep apnea which is determined by a sleep study. Mild to moderate sleep apnea can be treated successfully with an oral appliance. Treatment of severe sleep apnea though is more complicated so a CPAP or a combination of both an oral appliance and CPAP is necessary. Follow this link to learn more about CPAP alternatives.
Q: I have braces on and my jaw joints/muscles have started hurting/popping. What should I do?
A: If your jaw/muscle pain lasts more than a few days discuss it with your dentist/orthodontist. Your treatment may need to be modified to avoid making the pain/popping worse.
Q: I have new veneers which look great, but since having them in place I have had headaches. What should I do?
A: This could be a serious problem, depending on the nature of headaches and the presence of other symptoms. You may need a nightguard if the problem is caused by nighttime clenching. You may also need to have your bite adjusted if you have problems chewing, swallowing, or talking.
Q: Does TMJ treatment hurt?
A: That depends on the “type” of treatment being offered. For the treatments we offer at our facility, we do our best to minimize any discomfort. In certain instances, you may have slight pain during treatment. For example, if Botox is to be used, then you can expect slight pain as the Botox is injected. But after that, you should not have pain as a result of the therapy. Other times you’ll be given a night guard to use while you sleep. The night guard should not cause prolonged pain. Some teeth may be slightly sensitive after the removal of the night guard, but it shouldn’t be something that lasts all day.
Q: Does TMJ treatment cause my teeth to shift/move?
A: No. We do not use any treatment that has been shown to cause tooth movement. In fact, we do our best to minimize the risk of any permanent and undesirable tooth movement.
Q: Is the TMJ device glued/bonded onto the teeth?
Answer: No. The devices we use for the treatment of TMJ are “removable.” Meaning they are not bonded/glued onto the teeth and the patient is able to remove them without difficulty.
Q: Are TMJ mouthguards FDA-approved?
A: Most appliances used to treat TMJ are NOT FDA-approved. There are only a handful of items that have FDA approval. One is a device worn inside the ear canals. The other is implants for the TMJ (as in joint reconstruction).