I can hardly open my mouth!

This sounds like a closed lock TMJ dysfunction.

A new patient came to our office today with a closed lock TMJ dysfunction.
This problem is right in the “sweet spot” for my swing (to paraphrase baseball jargon).

Her problem was worse on the right side.

First we used our low level laser to break the spasm in her jaw muscles. My staff did the laser care to break muscle spasms on the Masseter muscles and the Temporalis muscles. Then she used it directly on the jaw joint, first closed and then opened. Then the staff person used the low level laser to support the lymphatic system on the submandibular lymph glands and the subclavicular lymph glands. Continue reading →

Orthodontic Tips July 22, 2014

Doctor, I’m hitting my teeth harder on the right. Something is wrong with my bite.

Watch the dental midlines for habit related occlusal problems.

This morning one of my TMJ cases came in with the complaint that he was hitting too hard on the right side when he was wearing the splints.
I put some articulating paper between the upper and lower splints to mark the occlusal contacts. Occlusal markings were present on both sides. However, to let the patient know Continue reading →