TMJ ins Astoria, NY

Pain-Free Dentistry: Embracing Sedation for a Stress-Free Experience

Are you suffering from severe pain in your teeth or jaw? Does your jaw click every time you open your mouth?

These could be symptoms of a more serious issue called a temporomandibular joint disorder (or TMD).

Proudly serving Queens, NY, Drs. Carmen Every-Degel and Clifford Degel can treat your TMJ disorder and give you the relief you need.

Understanding the Acronyms

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which refers to the joints that move your jaw. TMD is short for temporomandibular joint disorder, which refers to any complication involving your TMJ.

While TMD is the shorthand for a TMJ disorder, many people refer to issues involving the temporomandibular joint as TMJ. Patients can use the terms interchangeably, and our dentists will understand.

What is a TMJ Disorder?

TMJ or TMD is the name for any disorder affecting the joints, muscles, ligaments, or nerves in your jaw. TMD affects the standard movement of your jaw, and causes severe pain that can affect daily activities. The condition makes it more difficult to chew or even open your mouth. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to severe oral and physical health issues.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

Gum grafting to replace diseased or receded tissue

Teeth grinding is typically caused by stress, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or poor dental alignment. The grinding of your teeth puts added stress on your temporomandibular joints. When left untreated, it can lead to TMD.

Missing Teeth or a Misaligned Bite

Missing Teeth or a Misaligned Bite
Missing teeth or having a misaligned bite can both lead to TMD. When the bite force is not evenly distributed, it affects the natural movement of the temporomandibular joints, causing pain for the patient.

Physical Injury

An injury to the jaw or face can affect the function of your temporomandibular joints. This is especially true if you have suffered a dislocated jaw or another type of jaw-specific injury.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. If you suffer from arthritis, your temporomandibular joint is not immune from inflammation. This swelling can affect the natural movement of your joints and lead to TMD.

Additionally, mini implants offer many of the same benefits that have earned traditional dental implants recognition as a superior restorative solution. Mini implant-supported dentures will not slip out of place, and do not require messy adhesives. With proper care, mini dental implants can provide a lifetime of support for your dental prosthetic. Most importantly, mini implants and traditional implants alike preserve the health of the jaw bone and can halt further atrophy.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?

Facial Pain

General pain and tenderness around the cheeks and jaw is another sign of a disorder involving your TMJ.

Pain While Chewing

Pain associated with eating or noticing a change in the way you chew is also a symptom of TMJ.

Clicking or Popping

Clicking or popping sounds when you are eating can be a sign of a stressed temporomandibular joint.

Jaw Pain

TMD may cause discomfort while moving your jaw. Likewise, if your jaw joint is swollen due to arthritis, you may experience dull, radiating pain when you open and close your mouth.

Reduced Range of Motion

If your jaw joint is functioning properly, you can move your jaw up and down and side to side. Disorders of the TMJ can restrict this movement and make opening and closing your mouth very difficult.

Jaw Joint Locking

Lockjaw can be very painful and if you have TMD. It can occur when your jaw joint slips out of place while doing normal daily activities, such as eating a snack or brushing your teeth.

Chronic Headache

TMD strains your jaw joint muscles and tendons, which can cause a headache. The pain can even radiate into your neck and shoulders.

Ear Pain

A swollen TMJ can cause pain and ringing in the ears. Many patients may assume they are having ear issues when it is actually being caused by TMD.

Dizziness

A swollen TMJ can cause issues with the inner ear. For some people, this can lead to unexplained bouts of vertigo.

Your Dentist Can Detect the Signs of a TMJ Disorder

See Why NYC Chooses Us To Treat Their TMD

The team at Astoria Dental Group proudly serves patients from Long Island City and other communities in Queens and New York City.

Astoria Dental Group has been a staple in Queens, NY, since 1990. Our dentists run a state-of-the-art practice and stay up-to-date on the developing techniques of dentistry. They are experienced in treating TMJ disorders and have a variety of techniques to treat and control your symptoms.

Our patients’ oral health and comfort are our top concerns. We take the time to listen to each of our patient’s needs to develop a treatment plan that is best suited for them. Contact us online or call our Queens, NY, office to see how we can treat your TMD.

TMJ Disorder Treatments

Oral Splint

If your TMD is due to a misaligned bite, your dentist might fit you with an oral splint. An oral splint is custom-created to fit your teeth and keep your bite and jaw in their natural position. Splints can be combined with other TMD treatments if it does not totally alleviate your symptoms.

Mouthguard

Similar to an oral splint, a mouthguard acts as a barrier between your teeth. It’s a good option for people who clench their jaw or suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism). Mouthguards are also custom-fitted in order to best suit your needs. Preventing teeth grinding and relieving pressure on the jaw can prevent your TMD symptoms from worsening.

BOTOX

Commonly thought of as a way to treat and prevent wrinkles, BOTOX® injections have an added use in treating TMJ disorders. BOTOX injections relax the muscles in the jaw, which prevents you from clenching or grinding your teeth with a great amount of force. Having the muscles relaxed around your TMJ helps alleviate the jaw pain associated with straining those muscles and clenching your teeth. BOTOX therapy is an effective TMD treatment on its own, but injections can also be combined with other treatments to fully address symptoms.

Ditch the Over-The-Counter Medications

Our dentists can offer you treatment options that are effective and that last longer than over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or pain medications. Astoria Dental Group can offer you:

A Low Pain Threshold

Nobody should have to live in excruciating pain every day. Through a variety of non-invasive treatments, we can alleviate your jaw pain in ways that last.

Oral Health

If left untreated, TMJ can cause severe and sometimes irreversible damage to your teeth and jawbone, which leads to many oral health issues such as tooth decay.

Quality of Life

If you suffer from TMJ, the jaw pain can affect your overall well-being. By getting professional treatment, you can return to doing the things you love pain-free.

Meet Our Highly Trained Doctors

Our cosmetic dentists Drs. Clifford Degel and Carmen Every-Degel provide world-class dental care in a caring and friendly environment. Residents in Queens, Long Island, and throughout NYC trust them to create beautiful, healthy smiles.

Clifford Degel, DDS

With over 35 years of experience helping patients maintain, restore, and revitalize their smiles, Dr. Clifford Degel is considered a top dentist in Queens. Dr. Degel is known for exquisite cosmetic and restorative dentistry work at his state-of the-art, full service practice, Astoria Dental Group.

Carmen Every-Degel, DDS

Recognized as a top Invisalign® dentist, Dr. Every-Degel provides dramatic transformations with the discreet, convenient system, along with various cosmetic treatments such as smile makeovers and other procedures designed to deliver a brighter, more brilliant smile.

Our Astoria Patients Know

Experience the transformative impact of permanent full-arch dental implants as depicted in a carefully curated collection highlighting the incredible evolution from tentative smiles to confident, radiant grins of the present.

Sharon Moore

★★★★★ 5/5

December 4, 2024

It was excellent the Doctors was so helpful and nice. And the staff was on point .

Al Obuchowski

★★★★★ 5/5

November 22, 2024

Dr. Cliff Degel did an unbelievable job on my teeth and smile. He explained the whole procedure and is a dental magician. I would highly recommend him!!!!

Annie Nunes

★★★★★ 5/5

October 30, 2024

The doctors is very professional he made for my husband teeths and they look so beautiful gorgeous. , Doctor you are thebest thank you so much !!:)????????

Nelson O

★★★★★ 5/5

September 6, 2024

I am fairly new to Astoria Dental Group but I’ve had some work done there. I am pleased with the work that has been done so far. The staff is very professional. The dentist clearly knows what he’s doing. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

C D

★★★★★ 5/5

July 9, 2024

Incredibly caring staff and knowledgeable DDS… second opinions rarely needed. Their know their craft and you’ll get good and lasting results.

john marsh

★★★★★ 5/5

May 20, 2024

Excellent care and very friendly staff! Excellent dentist!!

Tom K

★★★★★ 5/5

May 3, 2024

Dr Degel and his entire staff provide the most enjoyable dental experience from the moment you walk in the door to your last rinse. I highly recommend The Smile Dr.

Hector Beltran

★★★★★ 5/5

April 29, 2024

Truly an awesome experience! It’s been 28 years, and I’ll continue to come here for a good reason. They care about me, my health and more importantly my pocket. I strongly recommend them! ❤️

Find Lasting TMJ Relief

Alleviate TMJ symptoms and restore jaw function. Contact us for personalized solutions!

TMJ ins Astoria, NY

Pain-Free Dentistry: Embracing Sedation for a Stress-Free Experience

Understanding the Acronyms

What is a TMJ Disorder?

What Causes TMJ Disorders?