Poway Dentists Educate Patients on TMD Symptoms and How to Find Relief

Dr. Valeri Sacknoff and Dr. Robbi Wilson offer patients TMD pain relief through a variety of solutions including night guards, customized deprogrammer appliances, and orthodontics.

Poway, CA – Dr. Valeri Sacknoff and Dr. Robbi Wilson are committed to providing their Poway cosmetic dentistry patients with advanced procedures designed to enhance both the form and function of their teeth. As part of that mission, they regularly assess and treat patients suffering from TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

The temporomandibular joint—which is used in movements of the jaw including chewing, biting, yawning, and speaking—can cause patients severe pain when functioning abnormally. Patients who have TMD suffer from headaches and facial pain that can radiate to the ears, neck, shoulders, and spine.

According to Drs. Sacknoff and Wilson, patients with TMD experience a limited ability to open the jaw or a locking of the jaw. Many of these people also hear a clicking or popping of the jaw joint. The doctors note that while these clicking and popping sounds may not necessarily indicate the immediate presence of TMD, they are often a precursor for future TMD cases and can alert patients to the potential need for future TMJ treatment.

Drs. Sacknoff and Wilson thoroughly evaluate and diagnose each patient in order to assess the cause of their symptoms. Some patients who believe they are experiencing TMD are actually suffering from an abscessed tooth, migraine headaches, or a sinus infection.

In cases where TMD seems likely, Drs. Sacknoff and Wilson try to determine and treat the specific cause of the patient’s TMD rather than simply treat the symptoms. Possible causes of TMD include arthritis, imbalance, teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching, a breakdown of cartilage in the joint, a misaligned bite, or a history of jaw trauma from an event such as a sports injury or a car accident.

For patients who clench or grind their teeth, the Poway dentists create custom-made night guards that decrease the stress placed on the teeth while simultaneously protecting the jaw joint. Patients also have the option of a customized deprogrammer appliance that separates the patient’s molars, reducing the amount of pressure produced by the bite. In severe cases, other treatment modalities such as orthodontics can be used to correct an abnormal bite (malocclusion).

At Pomerado Cosmetic Dentistry, Drs. Sacknoff and Wilson tell their patients that untreated TMD symptoms will continue to worsen in most cases. When the temporomandibular joint is not aligned correctly, it can affect not just the patient’s jaw, but their entire body. Drs. Sacknoff and Wilson urge anyone who believes they may be experiencing the symptoms of TMD to visit a reputable dentist for a consultation in order to determine the cause of the pain and begin a treatment plan.

About Valeri Sacknoff, DDS

Dr. Valeri Sacknoff is a graduate of Loyola University and earned her dental degree at New York University. She has been recognized as a “Top Dentist” by San Diego Magazine for the past five years. Dr. Sacknoff is available for interview upon request.

About Robbi Wilson, DDS

Dr. Robbi Wilson is a graduate of the University of California San Diego and earned his dental degree at University of California Los Angeles. He has been recognized as a “Top Dentist” by San Diego Magazine for the past four years. Dr. Wilson is available for interview upon request.