Cazes Family Dentistry - Long Valley

TMJ Therapy in Long Valley

TMJ refers to the Temporomandibular Joint, while TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. Both terms are commonly used to describe issues that impact the jaw’s muscles, nerves, and joints.
Call 908-503-5819

Jaw Pain is Not Normal

Living with jaw pain every day may make it feel normal, but the reality is that jaw pain is not normal. It could be a sign of a condition known as TMD, which affects one or both of your TMJs—your Temporomandibular Joints. These joints, located in your lower jaw, can become inflamed due to misalignment or disease, leading to pain and other symptoms.

What Are the Signs of TMJ Disorder (TMD)?

  • Headaches
  • Earaches or tenderness near the ear
  • Pain or tenderness in the face or jaw
  • Muscle discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
  • Difficulty chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth

How Do We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder?

Diagnosis

Diagnosing TMD begins with a thorough clinical examination of your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your visit, we assess for pain or tenderness and listen for any clicking or popping sounds as you open and close your mouth, chew, or swallow. If TMD is confirmed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the first step in treatment.

Treatment and Relief

Our approach to treatment includes the use of bite splints, which are custom-made plastic mouthpieces designed to fit securely over your upper and/or lower teeth. These devices help prevent clenching and grinding, which are common contributors to TMD. Additionally, the splint realigns the jaw, alleviating stress on the surrounding muscles and joints.

Alternative Treatment Options

When symptoms stem from a misaligned bite or missing teeth, orthodontics or restorative dental treatments may be recommended. If uneven bite pressure is affecting your TMJs, reshaping specific teeth to evenly distribute bite force might be suggested as part of your care plan.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ refers to the Temporomandibular Joint, the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. When this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, the condition is called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly abbreviated as TMD.

TMD symptoms can include pain or tenderness in or around the jaw joint, ear, or the muscles of the jaw, face, or temples. Other signs may involve difficulty opening or closing your mouth and noises like clicking, popping, grinding, or crunching when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth. TMD may also be associated with headaches and neck pain.

TMD can arise from a mix of factors, including jaw injuries and joint conditions like arthritis. Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) and tension in the head or neck muscles may worsen TMD symptoms. Stress is also a possible contributor, though it’s unclear whether stress causes TMD or results from it. Additional causes include poorly fitting dentures and habits like biting fingernails or pens. The variety of potential causes makes diagnosing TMD challenging. Scheduling an appointment is the best way to address jaw pain symptoms.

Headaches can result from various causes. Determining whether TMD is the culprit requires a physical examination by a doctor or dentist.

In most cases, TMJ pain can be managed effectively with non-invasive therapies and treatments. Surgery is rarely needed and is considered only in severe cases. Your well-being is our priority, and we’ll always review all available options with you, starting with the safest and least invasive. The decision on how to proceed will always be yours.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Lisa Osborne
1 month ago
Had not been to a dentist since before COVID and was anxious opening my mouth that had obvious cavities, coffee staining, a few chipped teeth plus one completely shattered molar. The entire staff was very welcoming and friendly. They seem so much more than simply coworkers. They are warm, kind and function well while working in a small office. Dr. Cazes is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, but more importantly he listens to the patient to understand their comfort level, their concerns and their long term objectives. He easily disarms his clients with grace, compassion and respect. He explains exactly what he is doing and stops immediately if his patient needs a moment or has a question. Dr. Cazes and his staff are genuine and work at the patients’ comfort level to improve their smile, long term management of their teeth health; and in doing so, improve their patients’ self-confidence. I highly recommend Dr. Cazes and Cazes Family Dentistry to anyone dissatisfied with their current dentist and those whose teeth haven’t seen a professional in a while. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More
Pauline
1 month ago
Top Notch Dentistry! That’s what comes to mind when I think of The Cazes and their entire staff. I know that when I go for a check up they will be thorough. They’ve always done a wonderful job in every procedure I’ve ever needed. They make visiting the dentist a most stress free and calming experience. I highly recommend them. 😁
More
Pat Brennan
1 month ago
Extremely happy with everyone I encountered today . Dr Jay took the time to listen to me and explain things with great care. I am now making Cazes Family Dentistry my new forever dental practice. Thank you so very much for being so professional. The staff as well as doctors are amazing. You could not ask for a better dental practice.
More
Matthew Croker
4 months ago
Amazing practice! Every staff member is friendly and comforting. They are very focused on your comfort and ensuring it's as pain-free and anxiety free. They adjust the plan to what you need at that appointment and worked to ensure my biggest issues were solved first. I can't speak highly enough of everyone here.
More
amanda muino
5 months ago
Amazing! The Staff at Cazes is so warm and welcoming. As someone who is not at all a dentist person, from the moment I walked in I felt extremely comfortable. Dr. Janice was able to fit me and immediately removed the wisdom tooth that was causing me discomfort. Will most definitely be using their office moving forward for myself and family members. They also see children! Highly recommended!
More
Lisa Osborne
1 month ago
Had not been to a dentist since before COVID and was anxious opening my mouth that had obvious cavities, coffee staining, a few chipped teeth plus one completely shattered molar. The entire staff was very welcoming and friendly. They seem so much more than simply coworkers. They are warm, kind and function well while working in a small office. Dr. Cazes is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, but more importantly he listens to the patient to understand their comfort level, their concerns and their long term objectives. He easily disarms his clients with grace, compassion and respect. He explains exactly what he is doing and stops immediately if his patient needs a moment or has a question. Dr. Cazes and his staff are genuine and work at the patients’ comfort level to improve their smile, long term management of their teeth health; and in doing so, improve their patients’ self-confidence. I highly recommend Dr. Cazes and Cazes Family Dentistry to anyone dissatisfied with their current dentist and those whose teeth haven’t seen a professional in a while. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More
Pauline
1 month ago
Top Notch Dentistry! That’s what comes to mind when I think of The Cazes and their entire staff. I know that when I go for a check up they will be thorough. They’ve always done a wonderful job in every procedure I’ve ever needed. They make visiting the dentist a most stress free and calming experience. I highly recommend them. 😁
More
Pat Brennan
1 month ago
Extremely happy with everyone I encountered today . Dr Jay took the time to listen to me and explain things with great care. I am now making Cazes Family Dentistry my new forever dental practice. Thank you so very much for being so professional. The staff as well as doctors are amazing. You could not ask for a better dental practice.
More
Matthew Croker
4 months ago
Amazing practice! Every staff member is friendly and comforting. They are very focused on your comfort and ensuring it's as pain-free and anxiety free. They adjust the plan to what you need at that appointment and worked to ensure my biggest issues were solved first. I can't speak highly enough of everyone here.
More
amanda muino
5 months ago
Amazing! The Staff at Cazes is so warm and welcoming. As someone who is not at all a dentist person, from the moment I walked in I felt extremely comfortable. Dr. Janice was able to fit me and immediately removed the wisdom tooth that was causing me discomfort. Will most definitely be using their office moving forward for myself and family members. They also see children! Highly recommended!
More
Cazes Family Dentistry - Long Valley

Request an Appointment Today

Call 908-503-5819