Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can lead to a variety of debilitating, painful symptoms, including chronic headaches. These TMD headaches can be so intense that they are often mistaken for migraines. However, there are important differences between TMD headaches and migraines. In order to experience relief from TMD headaches, you will need to seek treatment from a highly skilled and experienced neuromuscular dentist.
While the cause of migraines is still largely unknown, it is believed that a contributing factor may be changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, which is one of the major pain pathways in and out of the brain. These headaches result in severe throbbing pain that can last for days on end.
TMD headaches are often just as painful as migraines, but the source of this pain is very different. Headaches associated with TMD are caused by alignment issues with your jaw. These alignment problems can exert strong pressure on the trigeminal nerve, resulting in shooting pain in your head.
Fortunately, TMD headaches can be treated using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, which seek to restore proper alignment to your bite. Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro have undergone extensive training in the field of neuromuscular dentistry, and they have the background necessary to properly diagnose the cause of your TMD headaches. They will then devise a TMD treatment plan that will restore proper alignment to your jaw and alleviate the painful headaches you have been experiencing.
Please contact Dr. Scott LeSueur and Dr. Charles Dodaro today to schedule your TMD headache consultation. We serve patients in Scottsdale, Arizona.