Is TMD Management Painful?

Quite the opposite! Our goal is to alleviate patients suffering from chronic TMJ pain, so by the end of your therapy, you should feel much better.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of appointments required for TMD management will vary depending on your treatment plan and progress. On average, you can expect your examination and another appointment to take the dental impression if you are getting a custom molded mouth guard created. You can then expect to return for follow-up appointments determined by Dr. Weiselberg’s evaluation.

How Long Until I See Results?

Unfortunately, there’s no direct answer for this, as every patient’s full recovery will vary. Many patients will see their symptoms improve after just six weeks, but the process can take as long as three to six months to find complete relief.

What Are the Risks Associated with TMD Management?

TMD management therapy is a safe treatment providing respite from daily jaw pain. If you have any concerns about your recovery or what you can expect, please be sure to ask Dr. Weiselberg any questions you have during your consultation.

TMD (TMJ Dysfunction) Management

Fort Lee, NJ

Introduction to TMD Management

Teeth clenching and grinding are common problems that are often attributed to stress, but the vast majority of TMD sufferers are unaware that the root cause of these problems is something that a dentist can effectively treat. Not only does this aggressive compression affect your teeth’s durability over time, but it can also cause daily pain and discomfort. At North Jersey Dental Group in Fort Lee, NJ, Dr. Ali Weiselberg is helping patients all over North Jersey overcome this condition with a simple consultation and non-surgical treatment option. If you are experiencing any symptoms of TMJ, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

Man with dark hair, wearing a orange jacket, smiling - TMD Treatment in Fort Lee, NJ

What is TMD?

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), more frequently referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ), is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people, characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth, and intermittent ringing in the ears. The symptoms of TMJ are often debilitating and significantly interfere with everyday life, with many sufferers reporting that their symptoms generally worsen during periods of prolonged or unexpected stress and that intense outbreaks of the condition can lead to neck pain and dizziness.

The symptoms of TMD vary from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms that many experience, which can include:

Pain in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders
Stiffness in the jaw
Clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw
Difficulty chewing or pain when chewing
Headaches or migraines
Dizziness or problems with balance
Earache or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

The most common cause of TMD is teeth misalignment, often called a “bad bite,” but an injury resulting from a blow to the meniscus cartilage could also be a cause. The grinding will eventually erode the structure of the teeth and lead to more severe and expensive dental problems in the future. Untreated TMJ is a prime underlying factor in eroded jawbones and loose teeth. Dr. Weiselberg can realign or adjust the teeth without the need for painful or costly surgeries. This realignment/adjustment can help stop the pounding headaches, jaw pain, and dizziness.

TMD therapy can involve a combination of exercises, medications, and other techniques, ranging from simple measures to extensive therapy. Treatment plans are personalized to address your specific needs and symptoms and can include ongoing guidance and support.

What Are the Benefits of TMD Management?

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) management can help people regain normal jaw function and reduce pain and discomfort. This can lead to many benefits, including:

Improved dental health: TMD therapy can help align teeth and jaws, which can prevent tooth wear, enamel erosion, and gum problems and reduce the risk of future dental damage.
Better oral comfort: Therapy can reduce pain or difficulty experienced when chewing and help you speak more clearly. This will improve your dietary options and boost your confidence in social situations.
Tension reduction: Chronic headaches, neck pain, and upper back pain are often caused by strain and misalignment from TMD issues. Addressing the root of this issue through therapy can help decrease overall tension in the body.
Enhanced well-being: TMD management can help you feel more comfortable and active, allowing you to participate more fully in social activities.

Who Are the Best Candidates for TMD Management?

If you are in North New Jersey or any of the surrounding areas and experiencing extensive teeth clenching or grinding, it may be worth coming in for a consultation to determine the root of the problem and the best way to treat it. Good candidates for TMD management should have some of the following characteristics:

Experience pain or discomfort when clenching, chewing, or swallowing
Have difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Are willing to follow instructions and routines diligently
Maintain realistic expectations

Woman with long blonde hair in a white tank top, smiling - TMD Treatment in Fort Lee, NJ

Let’s Get Started

What’s the
first step?

When you come into our Fort Lee office for your TMD management consultation, you will meet with Dr. Ali Weiselberg. She will thoroughly examine your jaw area and your “bite,” take a few X-rays, and review your history so she can test, diagnose, and devise a plan to treat the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder.

Once you and Dr. Weiselberg agree on your management plan, our patient coordinator can help you schedule future appointments and provide instructions. These include stress management techniques and mouth muscle exercises to relieve tension, reduce pain, and reset your brain from forming stressful bad habits.

What to Expect on the Day of a TMD Management Treatment

There are several ways to provide relief. After performing your bite relationship analysis, Dr. Weiselberg may recommend creating a specially molded bite guard to stop nightly teeth grinding. In some more extreme circumstances, Dr. Weiselberg can prescribe muscle relaxants for additional relief.

Another (slightly better) option is “realignment,” which will change the shape of the teeth and completely rid the bad bite. This is especially useful because it alleviates TMJ symptoms and may improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth as well. Realignment involves adjusting the relationship between how the upper teeth come together with the lower teeth. This may require new restorations and/or adjusting the natural teeth as well. It is not a painful procedure, and it is one the dentist has performed with great success numerous times.

As with any procedure, Dr. Weiselberg will be happy to answer questions and discuss symptoms, options, and treatments during your consultation.

TMD Management Recovery

Some of the most important things you can do for your recovery are to rest, eat a healthy diet, and avoid stressful activities. Getting enough sleep will help your body recover and heal, while eating a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals will provide the nutrients needed for tissue repair. Avoiding stress will help prevent further irritation of the TMJ joint and muscles.

If you experience persistent headaches, you should massage your masseter muscle, the large muscle around your cheeks, and your temporalis muscle.

On average, most TMD symptoms should clear up within three weeks, but some conditions may last for months or years.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

How Much Does TMD Management Cost in North Jersey?

The cost of TMD Management in Fort Lee and the Northern New Jersey area can cost as little as $300 or as much as $10,000, depending on the extent of your treatment. The best way to learn about the total cost of your treatment is to consult with Dr. Weiselberg and allow her to create your customized plan.

Why Choose North Jersey Dental Group?

Ali N. Weiselberg, D.D.S., F.I.C.O.I, is the owner of and primary dentist at North Jersey Dental Group, P.A. She has been licensed to practice in both New Jersey and New York since 2006. Dr. Weiselberg has served on the Board of Directors of New York University’s College of Dentistry’s Alumni Association since September 2009. She was nominated as one of the Best 50 Women In Business in the State of New Jersey by NJBIZ in 2011 and named a Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Weiselberg is a Lifetime Member of the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs. Additionally, Dr. Weiselberg is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the North Jersey Dental Association (NJDA), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)

Dr. Weiselberg’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality, comprehensive dental services to the adults and children of northern New Jersey and surrounding areas.