Are you experiencing TMJ pain? Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and TMJ syndrome are painful conditions that affect everything from your jaw to migraine headaches and muscle fatigue through your neck and back. Some people never realize there’s something wrong with their jaw until chronic pain is an everyday part of their life.
Dr. Phillips has worked with thousands of patients to help overcome their jaw pain and TMJ disorder. Her extensive training and knowledge of TMD allows us to provide holistic and effective therapies for patients of all ages and backgrounds.
It could be one possible contributing factor, but there are many causes for headaches. The contracture of the facial muscles can produce a headache cycle that is sometimes difficult to stop. TMD is one possible cause of headaches, or it might be the effect of other contributing factors, such as migraine. If you continually suffer headaches, chances are that you are also developing a clenching habit that can put undue stress on the temporomandibular joint. Being fitted with a bite splint can help to train your TMJ and jaw muscles to relax, reducing the strain placed on them throughout the day. If you have an incredibly stressful lifestyle, let our TMJ specialist know.
Clicking may or may not be a symptom of a future problem. If occasional, with no pain, it may not present a future issue. The key here is whether there is a progression of clicking, changes in the click intensity or frequency or if it has just started. However, if it clicks every time you chew or opens your mouth or changes in nature, it may be an early symptom of a more severe problem. You should consult your dentist before it progresses to a locked jaw. Most healthy joints do not make clicking noises each time they’re used. Watch for other sounds, such as popping or grinding.
In rare situations, internal joint damage to your TMJ can destroy the tissues that allow it to glide back and forth. This can lead to the disc slipping or even being worn down. As a result, some people experience very alarming situations where their mouth becomes locked in place — either opened or closed — and may need to manually reposition on their own, with the help of a TMJ specialist, or make a trip to the emergency room.
Even though Dr. Phillips is not a participating provider on your medical insurance plan, we will assist you in filing your medical insurance claims and provide you with all the documentation required to process your claim. We will help you receive all the benefits of your particular insurance plan by providing letters and various other documentation of your specific situation directly to your carrier to help you minimize any out-of-pocket expenses.
Depending on the type of TMJ treatment you’re receiving, your therapies may be covered by either your medical or your dental coverage. As an out of network provider, we can file claims on your behalf to either. Plus, flexible payment options are available to fit your budget!
Dr. Phillips is a dentist who has obtained her Master of Science degree In Orofacial Pain. She is also a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and is seeking her Board Certification. While orofacial pain is still a proposed specialty of the American Dental Association, this board exam will be the basis of all certifications requiring two years of residency. Therefore, she no longer practices general dentistry, as she has focused on diagnosing and treating facial pain, headaches, TMD & Sleep Disorders.
REstore TMJ & Sleep Therapy P.A.
1001 Medical Plaza Drive,
Suite 200 | The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-296-6797
Dr. Phillips serves TMJ & Sleep patients in: The Woodlands TX | Spring TX | Conroe TX Tomball TX | Cypress, TX | Houston, TX | Kingwood TX | Humble, TX | Katy TX
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