TMJ T-Scan

A T-Scan can tackle chronic TMJ pain

Do you know that over 15% of Americans suffer from chronic pain tin the jaw, neck, head, shoulders, ears or face due to TMJ? TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition that is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. It involves problems with the temporomandibular joints that connect your upper and lower jaw to your skull.

Your jaw is made up of an intricate system of bones, ligaments, nerves and muscles. Because you use it frequently, when there is an issue with jaw alignment, it can wreak havoc by causing a great deal of discomfort.

What is T-scan?

The Tekscan device called T-scan is a handheld device that uses advanced technology to measure the amount of force applied when you bite down. The test is simple for you to take at the dentist’s office, but it provides a host of information that the dentist can use to help determine a course of treatment for your pain and other symptoms.

Tekscan or T-scan measures your biting force

Thanks to Doctor William Maness, TMJ diagnosis made great strides at Tufts University in 1987. It was there that Dr. Maness created the force measurement technology that would lead to the production of the T-Scan by Tekscan. The T-Scan is a diagnostic tool that takes a precise measurement of the amount of pressure that is applied when you bite down.

By measuring the distribution and amount of force that is applied during the act of biting, the T-Scan provides the information that helps Westminster dentist Dr. Gary Imm understand what is going on with your jaw while you are chewing or speaking. Once T-Scan results have been analyzed, the Dr. Imm can determine the proper course of treatment.

An accurate diagnosis is crucial to TMJ relief

A proper TMJ diagnosis is a key requirement for implementing a plan of action for effective TMJ treatment. TMJ often causes symptoms that don’t seem related to the jaws at all, like pain in the back, ringing in the ears or headaches that sometimes get mistaken for migraines. The reason for these odd symptoms is because sensation in the head and face is supplied by one of the most complex and busy systems of nerves in the human body. Signals can sometimes get misdirected, resulting in pain far from the jaws even when the jaws may be its source.

TMJ can cause a host of painful symptoms:

• Your jaw may be tender when you eat or speak.
• It may be impossible to open your mouth wide or your jaw could lock at times.
• A popping sound could be heard every time you open and close your mouth.
• Swelling in the face and toothaches are common as well.

However, many symptoms associated with TMJ are not obviously connected to your jaw.

• Pain in your neck and shoulders could stem from TMJ.
• Chronic headaches and migraines are common as well.
• Earaches, a ringing in the ears known as tinnitus, and dizzy spells are other troubling symptoms.

TMJ can be bothersome at its least and debilitating at its worst. If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, All Smiles Care’s T-Scan can help Dr. Imm get an accurate diagnosis of the problem so he can prescribe an effective treatment.

Find out what a T-scan can do for you

If you’re suffering from TMJ, you can try home remedies, such as applying warm compresses to your jaw and taking anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain. A massage of the jaw joint may also be helpful. However, these remedies won’t resolve the underlying issue.

Dental treatment for TMJ ranges from removable dental appliances for jaw alignment to permanent changes to the bite with orthodontics or restorative dentistry. Eliminating the cause of TMJ pain is much more effective at eliminating pain than temporarily relieving pain with doctor-prescribed medications.

The only way that you’ll solve your TMJ problems is by seeing a professional who can diagnose the problem. If you think All Smiles Care’s T-Scan can help you overcome your TMJ problem, come in for a consultation with Dr. Imm. Every step you take to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment is worthwhile step.