Questions About TMJ Disorder
My previous dentist made a bite guard for me that did not work. Can you improve on it?
We find the majority of orthotic bite splint therapy (bite guards) made today for treating TMJ problems to be poorly designed. They fail to encourage optimal muscle relaxation and inflammation reduction.
A bite guard’s design and how it is adjusted and used over time are critical to its success.
If you currently have a bite guard made by someone else which is not helpful, please bring it with you so that Dr. Kleive can assess its design. It may not be that the orthotic is “not working for me”, but that it was not properly designed in the first place.
Can I buy an athletic mouth guard at a store and treat this problem myself?
That could make the problem worse. Your mouth guard needs to be precisely designed for your individual bite. That is the secret of an effective mouth guard.
What other treatments are there for TMJ problems besides mouth guards?
Each case is unique and a thorough examination and accurate diagnosis are the first requirements for effective treatment. The goal is to reposition the jaw joints in their correct alignment for the long term, and Dr. Kleive will design your individual treatments to achieve that.
Some people need nothing beyond bite guard therapy. Others require us to access the function of the person’s natural bite and perhaps make improvements to it one way or another. People who have “unstable” or “dysfunctional” natural bites often experience recurrence of TMJ problems, if they stop bite guard therapy.
The long-range goal for most individuals is to eliminate their need or use of a bite guard over time. Thus, improvement of an individual’s natural bite may be the most predictable way to achieve this goal. We will discuss the possibility of improving the function of your natural bite, if it appears to be an appropriate option.
Will treatment for TMJ problems be covered under my insurance?
In some cases, some medical insurance plans may cover some of the costs of treatment for TMJ disorders. We will submit to your insurance carrier all of the diagnostic and treatment codes necessary for them to reimburse you, to the extent of your coverage.
If your medical insurance plan does not cover conservative TMJ treatment strategies (orthotic bite splint therapy), then you may be able to file for limited coverage under your dental insurance plan.
In either case we will work with you to gain maximum reimbursement from your insurance.
What happens to the 5% of patients who are not successfully treated via professionally designed and managed orthotic appliances?
These patients are typically sent to one of the few highly trained and experienced TMJ surgical specialists.
If you are suffering from symptoms of TMD in the St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota area, please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. Relief can be just a phone call away.
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