Synergy TMJ Pain

DR.
KENNETH
LEOPOLD

DDS, MSc.

Specialist In Orofacial Pain, Oral Medicine, & Sleep Apnea

What is an Orofacial Pain & Oral Medicine Specialist?

Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (OFPOM) are the 17th & 12th American Dental Association recognized dental specialties. Specialists in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine limit their practices to disorders of TMJ, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and oral diseases. OFPOM specialists, like Dr. Leopold, complete two to three year residencies “beyond” their 4 years of dental school and are uniquely trained to treat these advanced disorders.

TMJ or “Temporomandibular Joint Disorder” is a broad term to characterized pain in one or both jaw joints. Symptoms of TMJ include “popping or clicking”, grinding noises, ear pain, ringing in the ears, and chewing pain. Causes of TMJ include arthritis, injury, degeneration of the joint, and auto immune diseases.

Jaw Muscle Pain, also known as “Myofascial Pain”. It occurs due to spasm and inflammation of the jaw, head and neck muscles. Common symptoms include painful trigger points, pain upon chewing, ear pain, and dull aching pain around the jaw. Causes include stress, teeth grinding, excessive chewing habits, arthritic conditions and injury.

MIGRAINE

Migraine Headaches are debilitating headaches that cause severe pulsing pain and throbbing – usually on one side of the head. Commonly, symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light and sounds. Orofacial Pain Specialists are uniquely trained to treat acute and chronic forms of migraine headaches.

MIGRAINE

Migraine Headaches are debilitating headaches that cause severe pulsing pain and throbbing – usually on one side of the head. Commonly, symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light and sounds. Orofacial Pains Specialists are uniquely trained to treat acute and chronic forms of migraine headaches.

CLUSTER

Cluster Headaches are said to be “the most painful” of all headaches. The pain is a severe, one-sided headache that feels like it is right behind the eye. Cluster headaches typically last from 15 minutes to 3 hours and occur in “clusters”. Symptoms including tearing, “drooping” of the eyelid and runny or stuffed up nose.

CLUSTER

Cluster Headaches are said to be “the most painful” of all headaches. The pain is a severe, one-sided headache that feels like it is right behind the eye. Cluster headaches typically last from 15 minutes to 3 hours and occur in “clusters”. Symptoms including tearing, droopy of the eyelid and runny or stuffed up nose.

TENSION

Tension Headaches are very common (mild to moderate) headaches that feel like a tight band around the head. They are usually bilateral and last from 30 minutes to several days. Unlike migraines, the are “not” associated with nausea and vomiting, and they are usually the result of muscle tension and stress.

TENSION

Tension Headaches are very common (mild to moderate) headaches that feel like a tight band around the head. They are usually bilateral and last from 30 minutes to several days. Unlike migraines, the are “not” associated with nausea and vomiting, and they are usually the result of muscle tension and stress.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a potentially life threatening sleep disorder that is characterized by intermittent episodes of interrupted breathing while you sleep. When these apnea events occur, the result is fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels. If left untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart attacks, strokes and many other metabolic problems.

Tongue-Tie (Ankylglossia) is a condition that is present at birth. It is a condition where a tight band of tissue (Lingual Frenum) tethers the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. If left untreated, tongue ties can cause feeding problems with newborns, problems with speech development and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Many patients who have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea are prescribed “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” or a CPAP machine to help them breathe while they sleep. Some find they cannot tolerate the CPAP machine. When this happens, dentists trained in sleep apnea can provide a dental sleep appliance as an alternative.

(Neuropathic Pain & Trigeminal Neuralgia)

NEUROPATHIC PAIN

Neuropathic pain is “nerve” pain due to long-term damage of nerve tissue. In addition, the pathway by which the nerve impulse travels is also altered. As a result, many different sensations can occur to the facial and oral structures that these nerves innervate. The most common sensations include “pins & needles”, tingling, burning, itching, and phantom pain. The faster the neuropathic pain is treated, the better the chances are of alleviating these altered sensations.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Trigeminal Neuralgia is an injury of the (V) fifth cranial nerve. There are three branches in the head and facial region – V1, V2 & V3, Trigeminal Neuralgia is often a debilitating disorder characterized by a rapid onset, excruciating, stabbing, electrical shock like sensations that can last from a few seconds to two minutes. Due to the severity of this pain, some patients feel hopeless and contemplate “suicide”. The good news is that there is hope and several solutions to treat this disorder.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a potentially life threatening sleep disorder that is characterized by intermittent episodes of interrupted breathing while you sleep. When these apnea events occur, the result is fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels. If left untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart attacks, strokes and many other metabolic problems.

Tongue-Tie (Ankylglossia) is a condition that is present at birth. It is a condition where a tight band of tissue (Lingual Frenum) tethers the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. If left untreated, tongue ties can cause feeding problems with newborns, problems with speech development and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Many patients who have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea are prescribed “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” or a CPAP machine to help them breathe while they sleep. Some find they cannot tolerate the CPAP machine. When this happens, dentists trained in sleep apnea can provide a dental sleep appliance as an alternative.

What is an Orofacial Pain & Oral Medicine Specialist?

Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (OFPOM) are the 17th & 12th American Dental Association recognized dental specialties. Specialists in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine limit their practices to disorders of TMJ, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and oral diseases. OFPOM specialists, like Dr. Leopold, complete two to three year residencies “beyond” their 4 years of dental school and are uniquely trained to treat these advanced disorders.

What is an Orofacial Pain & Oral Medicine Specialist?

Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (OFPOM) are the 17th & 12th American Dental Association recognized dental specialties. Specialists in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine limit their practices to disorders of TMJ, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and oral diseases. OFPOM specialists, like Dr. Leopold, complete two to three year residencies “beyond” their 4 years of dental school and are uniquely trained to treat these advanced disorders.

Telemedicine & Emergency Health Calls

If you would like to schedule a teleconsult appointment or emergency health call visit, click the link below.