Rocky River Ohio Dentist, Dr. John Kinsley, Helps Patients in the treatment of TMJ Problems and Headaches

Dr. John Kinsley, DDS

Phone: 440-331-8691

Website: www.rockyriverdentist.com

Rocky River Ohio Dentist, Dr. John Kinsley, Helps Patients in the treatment of TMJ Problems and Headaches

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ's) are the joints that are involved in the movement of our jaws when we open and close to chew, swallow and speak. The TM joints are the most used joints in the entire body. The mandible (the lower jaw) is the only bone in the body that moves with the use of two joints. It can rotate open and close but it can also unhinge and move out of the joint sockets when we bite into an apple or into an ear of corn. Disorders of the TM joints can cause many different head, neck and facial pain symptoms which are sometimes originally misdiagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, neuralgia and even psychological illnesses. Dr. John Kinsley wants his Rocky River and surrounding Northeast Ohio area patients along with those seeking answers to their headaches and jaw dysfunction problems to learn how they may benefit from new state of the art diagnosis and treatment options.

Common signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

• Clicking/Popping jaw joints
• Clenching/Grinding of teeth
• Facial pain Tired jaws
• Difficulty in eating or swallowing
• Limited jaw opening or jaw locking
• Chronic headaches
• Drifting bite (changes in your bite or how your teeth fit together)
• Changes in the facial skeleton (recessive chin, assymmetry of the face)
• Ear congestion
• Ringing of the ears
• Neck and shoulder pain

What causes TMJ disorders?

We now know that trauma is a major cause of TMJ disorders. Traumas such as whiplash, sports related injuries, concussions, slips and falls, and a direct blow to the jaw are all primary examples. Other major factors can result from a misaligned bite, ill fitting dental work, failure in the growth of the joints and jaws, and certain forms of arthritis.

Forward Head Posturing:

Many TMJ patients carry their head too far forward. This kind of posture can cause numbing or tingling sensations in the hands, difficulty clearing the ear, and pain in the jaw, head, neck, shoulders and upper back. Poor head posture puts tremendous strain on the muscles which overtime changes how the patient bites his or her teeth together. It is well documented that head posture and bite are closely related. More advanced problems can create alot of "cross-talk" between the muscles and nerves that supply the head and neck making the diagnosis and treatment more complicated.

The key to the success in the treatment of any disease is to first make an accurate diagnosis. The dental and medical community for years have called TMJ problems "TMJ Syndrome". But a syndrome is not a specific diagnosis. Did you know that up to 80% of all headache pain can come from a bad bite or an undiagnosed joint problem? Let's face it, if you had chronic headaches, you probably would first go see your doctor. A typical scenario may go like this: The doctor may order some tests and then prescribe some medication. If that is not successful, a referral to a neurologist may follow to rule out a tumor or some other pathosis. If the neurologist can not determine that there is anything wrong, the patient may be referred back to their doctor who now may refer to an ENT specialist. The ENT may find nothing wrong (no ear infections) and so the patient is referred back to their doctor who then may say "Well you're just too stressed" and "You need a vacation" or "Go see a psychiatrist!" Fortunately through the use of advanced technology and performing a thorough history and examination, we can accurately diagnose the condition of the joints thereby allowing us to develope a treatment and management protocol to help the patient return back to health, comfort and function.

After Dr. Kinsley graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1987, he began to study extensively at several renowned Institutes...The L.D. Pankey Insitute in Key Biscayne Florida, The Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Studies in St. Petersburgh Florida, along with the Piper Education and Research Center for the diagnosis and treatment of complex TMJ Disorders in St. Petersburgh Florida. He is an active member of the American Equilibration Society in Chicago, the largest international organization in the world that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of dental occlusion (bite problems) and disorders of the TMJ's and associated muscles. Dr. Kinsley also has the priviledge of being in a unique TMJ study group, "The Piper/McKee Study Club" where the focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of complex TMJ as well as head and neck Disorders.

If you experiencing any of these signs and symptoms and are seeking answers and relief from your TMJ and Head and Neck problems, visit Dr. John Kinsley’s website at www.rockyriverdentist.com or call 440-331-8691 to schedule an appointment at his Rocky River Ohio office. Dr. Kinsley is committed and passionate about providing specialized TMJ dental care as well as excellent family care for patients throughout Rocky River and all of Northeast Ohio.