Elevate Holistic Dental
TMJ Treatment
There are many factors that can cause or contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. They include trauma – any blow to the head or chin, whiplash injury, poor posture, abnormal bite (malocclusion), arthritis, and hereditary growth and development factors that contribute to skeletal malformation. Stress at work or home also has an impact on existing TMJ disorders. Muscle strain and spasm begin when the discs become displaced. Early signs of a TMJ disorder usually include clicking or popping noises. More severe displacements can be very painful. If left untreated, permanent change can result.
We are experts at diagnosing TMJ disorder and work very closely with triple board-certified dentist, Greg Larson of
The Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea. We want to provide the best care for our patients, collaborating to get a customized treatment plan for you.
Do You Suffer From Any of the Following?
Ears
- Hissing, buzzing or ringing
- Decreased hearing
- Ear pain or earache with no infection
- Clogged, “itchy” ears
- Vertigo, dizziness
Jaw
- Clicking, popping jaw joints
- Grating sounds
- Pain in the cheek muscles
- Uncontrollable jaw and tongue movements
Neck
- Lack of mobility, stiffness
- Neck pain
- Tired, sore muscles
- Shoulder aches and backaches
- Arm and finger numbness and pain
Throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Laryngitis
- Sore throat with no infection
- Voice irregularities or changes
- Frequent coughing or constant clearing of the throat
- A feeling of a foreign object in the throat constantly
Head Pain / Headaches
- Forehead
- Temples
- “Migraine” type
- Sinus type
- Shooting pain up the back of the head
- Hair and scalp are painful to touch
Eyes
- Pain behind the eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- May bulge out
- Sensitive to sunlight
Mouth & Teeth
- Discomfort
- Limited opening of the mouth
- Inability to open smoothly
- Jaw deviates to one side when opening
- Locks shut or open
- Can’t find a bite
- Clenching, grinding teeth at night
- Looseness and soreness of back teeth
Myofunctional Therapy
What is Myofunctional Therapy
Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy specifically designed for the oral and facial muscles. When the muscles of the lips, tongue, and cheeks function incorrectly, it creates compensations that can lead to broader systemic issues, including sleep-disordered breathing, airway issues, and TMJ dysfunction.
By retraining these foundational facial muscles, we address the root causes of alignment and breathing challenges rather than just managing their symptoms.
There Are 4 Main Goals of Therapy
Every customized treatment plan is anchored around achieving four primary functional goals:
Restore Nasal Breathing
Encouraging nasal filtering to improve oxygen intake & overall airway development.
Strengthen Lip Seal
Ensuring lips naturally rest together comfortably to prevent mouth breathing.
Correct Tongue Resting Posture
Training the tongue to rest fully against the roof of the mouth, supporting the jaw structure.
Correct Swallowing Patterns
Using treatment to eliminate improper muscle patterns like tongue thrusting.
Your Therapy Journey
1. In-Office Consultation
Comprehensive Baseline Assessment -
Meet with our trained myofunctional therapist to review your medical/dental history, evaluate muscle compensations, and assess for tongue restrictions or ties. If a tongue-tie is present, we will discuss our specialized frenectomy protocols and establish your baseline measurements.
2. Customized Care Blueprint
Tailored to Your Needs -
Following your evaluation, our therapist designs an individual program tailored specifically to your or your child's physiological development and goals.
3. Virtual Therapy Sessions
Every 2 Weeks via Zoom.
Enjoy the convenience of remote care. We meet for approximately one hour every two weeks for a comprehensive program of 12 to 15 total sessions. (Note: Parents must attend Zoom sessions with their children.)
4. Daily Practice at Home
Only 10 Minutes a Day.
Our therapist teaches you targeted, simple exercises to practice for just 5 minutes, twice a day, steadily building muscle tone and creating long-term habit changes.
Schedule a consult today!
Bio-Rejuvenation
TMJ Treatment
At Elevate Holistic Dental, we believe treating Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) requires far more than simply handing you a generic night guard. Because TMD is a complex condition, true relief requires a comprehensive, three-step approach known as Bio-Rejuvenation Therapy. Our thorough diagnostic process evaluates three critical factors: your airway and nasal passages, the structural alignment of your jawbone when closing, and the presence of any restrictive tongue-ties.
To address these underlying causes, we utilize an advanced therapeutic device known as a Condylar Centering Orthotic
(C2O). Unlike traditional night guards that merely shield teeth from wear, the C2O gently guides your jaw back into its optimal, neutral position. This helps find your jaw’s true “happy place” and significantly reduces tension, pain, and systemic TMD symptoms.
As part of your personalized care, we evaluate for tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) and collaborate with our on-site myofunctional therapy specialist. By optimizing tongue movement and muscle function, we help release tension in the mouth and neck that frequently contributes to jaw pain. Once your jaw relationship is fully stabilized with the C2O, we work alongside our specialized laboratory to restore any tooth damage from past clenching or grinding using conservative, non-invasive techniques.
Take the first step toward lasting comfort and jaw stability by
contacting Elevate Holistic Dental
today to schedule your comprehensive TMJ consultation.
Elevate Holistic Dental
Partner With Us in Wellness
Your path to a healthier mouth and a vibrant body starts here. Whether you are navigating complex chronic health issues or simply searching for a biologically minded dental home for your family, Dr. Kempter and the team at Elevate Holistic Dental are excited to welcome you. Contact us today by calling (704) 260-4206 or schedule your comprehensive consultation online.
