Video Transcript: Dr. Kate Conti on TMJ Treatment
What is TMJ Treatment?
I wanna hear about their history. So I wanna know when the pain, when the symptoms started, how have they progressed. Uh, I wanna know a lot about that.
Once I hear what they have to say, then I need hard and soft tissue imaging—meaning I need to see the bones and the disc, or the shock absorber between the bones—to see what’s going on in the joint itself.
And finally, I’ll use a clinical exam to look at the nuances of the way the bite comes together and the way that the teeth move back and forth and side to side to get a diagnosis.
Once we have a diagnosis, we can help manage temporomandibular dysfunction.
So often they’ll come in with, um, they’ll be complaining of headaches, jaw pain, facial pain, sometimes earaches or ear congestion—a feeling of fullness that they can’t quite seem to resolve.
Oftentimes they’ve seen an ENT who can’t help them. Maybe a few other doctors or dentists, a chiropractor, physical therapist that just haven’t been able to diagnose it and to treat it properly.
So we can, you know, love to work with them to really get a diagnosis, which then we can manage for them.
The first appointment’s about an hour long, and we’ll have a long discussion before we start, and then I can get into looking at the clinical and some of the imaging.
Once we’ve got that diagnosis, then they come back and depending on—you know, the treatment will be tailored to what their diagnosis is.
Many of our patients go on to splint therapy, which looks like a night guard to me and to you. Um, but it’s doing something in the jaw joints. It’s, it’s making changes. It’s putting the forces in the right spots so that all of a sudden this—these pain, this symptom that they were experiencing goes, “Oh, okay.” Calms down. Feels great. Okay.
More About TMJ Treatment
Our approach begins with a thorough understanding of your symptoms and history. We take the time to listen to your story and gather important insights during your first visit. This personalized attention allows us to tailor our diagnostics to you—because every smile has its own story.
With advanced imaging and a detailed clinical examination, we explore how your bite and jaw movements contribute to TMJ discomfort. Our goal? To pinpoint the exact nature of the issue so that we can forge a personalized treatment plan.
For many patients, relief comes through splint therapy—a custom-made solution that gently corrects jaw alignment, alleviating pressure on the joints. Imagine a life where your jaw feels at ease and your smile comes effortlessly. Our treatments are designed not just to manage symptoms, but to transform your quality of life.
Reclaim the balance and comfort you deserve. If you have questions about TMJ treatment or wish to start your journey to relief, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help every step of the way, ensuring you receive the care and support that makes all the difference.
