TMJ Treatment in Kansas City, MO
Non-Invasive TMJ Relief While You Sleep
- Over two decades of experience
- Custom-fit NTI night guards
- Non-invasive, drug-free relief
- Free, no-pressure consultations
Why KCMO Turns
to Dr. Goodman
for TMJ Relief
TMJ Experience & Comprehensive Care
Dr. Goodman can read TMD patterns (like dental wear and restricted jaw movement) fast, and recommend a solution that meets your needs. Meanwhile, if TMJ disorder has damaged your teeth, he offers comprehensive treatments to restore health, function, and appearance.
Custom Relief, No Surgery or Drugs
The custom NTI device is a small, clear guard worn at night. It gently keeps your back teeth apart, easing the clenching that drives jaw pain. It requires no medication, no surgery, and no downtime.
Clear Answers at No Cost to You
Your first visit costs nothing. Dr. Goodman examines your jaw, explains what is causing the pain, and lays out your choices, so you can decide on treatment without pressure or surprise fees.
Non-Invasive Treatment
The NTI Device
While you may be able to temporarily decrease your temporomandibular joint discomfort with anti-inflammatory medication, you will likely need a long-term solution. Instead of TMJ surgery, we offer a non-invasive, non-surgical alternative: a custom NTI (nociceptive trigeminal inhibition tension suppression system) device.
The NTI device is a small, acrylic, clear mouth guard worn at night that fits between your front top and bottom teeth. It’s comfortable, and if you already wear a retainer, it can be compatible with that routine.
This TMJ treatment prevents the posterior teeth from contacting each other. The NTI device is designed to be worn long term to suppress and eliminate the reflex to clench and grind.
It can take just 10 to 15 minutes to create this strong mouth guard at our office. Visit our dentist in Kansas City, MO, to learn more about reducing TMJ grinding.
How Dr. Goodman
Can Treat Your TMD
Our dentist, Dr. Goodman, can diagnose your temporomandibular disorder using X-rays and a description of your symptoms. Then, he can begin your TMD treatment with a custom mouth guard called an NTI device, made in minutes at his Kansas City practice.
A Closer Look
at the TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a flexible hinge joint connecting the temporal bone of the skull to the mandible, or lower jaw, controlling all jaw movements.
A Common
TMD Predicament:
How Do I Know if I Grind
My Teeth at Night?
You may think that you do not have a temporomandibular joint condition because you have never caught yourself grinding your teeth during the day.
For those with a temporomandibular disorder, though, this is common. Many people with bruxism grind their teeth in their sleep, which means they don't even know that they have a TMD.
If you wake up with tender, sore jaws or you experience increasing jaw joint pain during the day, you may have a TMD.
Dr. Goodman can help you pursue a diagnosis with X-rays and examine your teeth and jaw at our dental practice. They may be able to reveal evidence of your temporomandibular disorder.
Symptoms of TMD
The symptoms of TMJ disorders can disrupt your daily life to an unbearable degree.
These lasting effects include:
The Consequences
of TMD
Can Be Avoided
TMJ problems like clenching and grinding can inflame or tighten your jaw muscles. Your temporomandibular joint issues can have far-reaching consequences, leading to the degeneration of your jaw joints.
This condition can also damage your teeth, leading to the need for more costly dental work in the future. Luckily, you don't necessarily have to deal with any further consequences of TMD. Simply visit our trusted Kansas City, MO, team to discuss your concerns and have your temporomandibular joints examined.
Why Is TMD So Painful?
TMD results from the effects of strain, stress, and trauma to the temporomandibular joint.
When this jaw joint is strained, the jaw clenches and causes teeth grinding, muscle soreness, and inflammation. This leads to the blockage of circulation, build-up of lactic acid, toxins, and adhesions over time.
Those who have TMJ syndrome generally experience tenderness, weakness, soreness, and mild to severe pain affecting daily life, especially sleep. They may experience jaw pain, dental pain, headaches, or a combination of all three.
Common Questions About NTI Devices
Is the NTI Device Comfortable to Wear While I Sleep?
The NTI device is small, clear, and custom-fit, so most people adjust to it within a few nights. It sits between your top and bottom front teeth and stays out of the way, so it should not disrupt your sleep. Because Dr. Goodman shapes it to your exact bite, it feels secure rather than bulky. If anything feels off, he can fine-tune the fit at a quick follow-up visit.
I Already Wear a Nightly Retainer. How Will That Impact My Treatment?
Wearing your retainer each night is crucial for your teeth to remain straight after braces. If you faithfully wear your retainer, then you already understand the importance of consistency, which can be incredibly beneficial for TMD treatment. There's no need to stress if you need to also wear a NTI device. Simply alternate them, wearing your retainer one night and your NTI device the next. Your dentist, Dr. Goodman, can explain the benefits to you at your next dental visit.
What If My NTI Device Doesn't Resolve All My TMD Symptoms?
In the event that your NTI device does not fully treat your TMJ problems, you still have hope. Dr. Goodman can talk with you about your case and your TMJ symptoms. If more invasive TMJ disorder treatment is needed beyond the NTI device, then Dr. Goodman will refer you out to a specialist.
