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TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief

13yo girl with back pain, headaches, jaw pain, acid erosion of teeth, ADD, gastric reflux, sleeps poorly….

So what's the connection amongst all these things?  Is it possible there's one condition/issue that is a primary driving force behind all of these that, if addressed, could make an amazing difference in a young girl's life......for her entire life?  The answer is (of course, or I wouldn't be asking such obvious leading questions, right?  LOL :-) ) YES!!!! So what's the driving force behind all these health-issues, and what can be done about it? SLEEP APNEA!!! Let's list all those conditions out again and start connecting the dots: Lower back pain (no history of any accidents or trauma -- this one is a bit of a stretch, but since there are no other contributing factors, and she's been checked for scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and cleared, the fact that she's been suffering from back pain is most likely due to the muscle spasm involved in the other issues, and perhaps she needs a new mattress for better lower back support. Long history of headaches (decreasing somewhat recently, but still significant for a girl only 13 years old) - quite a bit of research now indicates that both chronic tension and migraine headaches are connected to sleep disorders, and it makes sense - if you can't breathe well at night and your brain gets less oxygen than it really needs, your brain/nervous system will get hypersensitized; any little trigger will make it go haywire, make muscles spasm like crazy, and result in headaches. Jaw pain/TMJ pain - Same as with the headaches; when the nervous system goes haywire, the muscles spasm like crazy, and your jaws will hurt; the joints get way too much pressure and pain can result, also the tissue in the [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:45:18-04:00 May 5th, 2009|Bruxism & Parafunction, Cavities, Sleep Apnea & Snoring, Snoring, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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A story about Kat, her migraines, and her NTI nightguard

I'd like to supplement the last post about Kat's treatment with the story of a discussion we had after an appointment sometime in 2008, when she'd had her NTI-tss nightguard for about 18-20 months.  It demonstrates just how "miraculous" a treatment the NTI can be for chronic migraine headaches. When Kat first came to us, she had suffered migraine headaches for as long as she could remember (I'm not allowed to tell you how long that is, of course - a gentleman never asks nor tells a lady's age!), and she had tried practically every medication, had every scan done, had allergy testing done, massage, chiropractic, physical therapy..........you name it, she'd tried it.  I think the only thing she hadn't done was Botox, 'cause she doesn't like that idea. 2 weeks after starting to wear her NTI, Kat came in for her first follow-up visit and told us in amazement and pleasure that the ONLY headache she'd had in those 2 weeks was the day after drinking a bit too much and forgetting to wear her NTI.  It was one of the first days in years she had no headache and no migraine!  And that continues today....... But the cool thing.....because sometimes people are hesitant to pay $600+ for a "nightguard" from a DENTIST, of all people, to treat their headaches......after she'd had her NTI for those 18 months, I asked her the following question: [...]

By | 2014-05-21T18:29:22-04:00 May 4th, 2009|Patient Testimonials, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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Dental Implant Bridge Smile Makeover in Charlotte

Some Smile Makeovers are easy, but some are complicated and require combining several techniques to get the best result.  The following is an example of one that used 3 different procedures in our Charlotte dentist office: A bridge on 2 dental implants Six Month Braces NTI nightguard for migraine relief Cosmetic Dentistry with Dental Implants When Kat first came to us in August 2006, she was ready to improve her smile, and she had some major complicating factors.  She knew about the significant gum recession, was unhappy about the dark metal lines around her dental bridge, and wanted to brighten/straighten her whole smile. But beyond that, she had some more problems: Crowded lower front teeth that were banging against the back of the upper dental bridge She clenched her teeth intensely, pushing the lower front teeth powerfully against the back of the upper dental bridge A history of chronic migraines that did not respond to conventional treatment, and as she'll tell you in a heartbeat, she tried EVERYTHING. The 2 teeth holding up the bridge had cracks in the roots A very high smile line, meaning that - when she smiles big - her lip rises way up high so that even the gums show (most people don't do this) Two Dental Implants for a Bridge We spent quite a while talking about how all these things fit together and all the possibilities to give her a beautiful smile she would love.  We finally decided on the following: [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:45:20-04:00 May 2nd, 2009|Cosmetic dentistry, Dental implant(s), Six-Month Braces, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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Exciting new update at Smiles by Payet Dentisty

While it may not seem like an earth-shattering improvement, today we took a big step in improving our Customer Service today!  Today we installed some new software in our office called "Dentforms;" what this software allows us to do, starting NOW, is to become almost a PAPERLESS dental office. Now, you're probably thinking, "So what does that mean to me," right? Here's what it means: [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:45:37-04:00 April 21st, 2009|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Dental Insurance, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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Dr. Jim Boyd – creator of the NTI-tss therapy for headaches & jaw pain

I count myself very fortunate to have known Dr. Boyd for about 4 years now, and it was through online communication with him that I originally began learning about the NTI and the remarkable abilities it has, in the hands of a properly trained dentist, to provide amazing relief to so many patients who've suffered from migraines, chronic tension headaches, TMD, jaw pain, etc.  Quite honestly, he's been a tremendous mentor and influence during that time, and I am grateful for all the hard work he has put in to educate both doctors and patients on what we call "Parafunction," more commonly referred to as bruxism, grinding, or clenching.  I'd like to share with you a video that he has posted on YouTube for both professionals and the public, in which he explains so clearly why he developed the NTI protocol and how it works and why it works so amazingly well.  If you'd like a Complimentary Consultation to if you think the NTI might help you, please call us at 704-364-7069 orRequest an Appointment through our website. [wpvideo 4aGKM07U]

By | 2014-08-27T16:01:52-04:00 March 26th, 2009|Bruxism & Parafunction, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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A great news story by NPR on Sleep Apnea in children

NPR aired a story this morning (March 5th, 2009) that has to do with snoring, sleep apnea, and the wide-ranging effects that they can have on behaviour, brain function, etc.  This is something I"ve been studying and talking to patients about for several years now, but it's gaining wider acceptance in the medical fields.  On the most basic level, sleep disorders cause a decrease in oxygen levels to the brain, which results in various decreases in function and can have significant effects on your overall health. Please take some time to listen to the reports and read the articles - wonderful information! NPR's reports on Sleep Apnea & Snoring

By | 2017-06-09T20:46:00-04:00 March 5th, 2009|Bruxism & Parafunction, Sleep Apnea & Snoring, Snoring, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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So I grind my teeth, Doc – what’s the big deal?

Many people grind their teeth. Many people clench their teeth. Many do both. The worst part is, though, that many have no idea that they do it, or how much damage they're doing to their teeth -- or how much it could cost to fix. Sadly, too, many dentists don't do anything about it either. Here are 2 examples of just how badly one can damage teeth by grinding/clenching. Common Myths About Teeth Grinding and Clenching Examples of Teeth Badly Damaged by Grinding and Clenching Look how uneven the teeth in the photos are.  See the gum recession and the deep "notches" in the teeth?  These things are NOT caused just by growing older and our mouths aging.  It takes incredible force to wear down enamel, which is the hardest substance in your body.  But once you wear through enamel into the second layer - dentin - that wears down much faster and the damage accelerates. How teeth can look after years of grinding and clenching. Teeth damaged by grinding & clenching become short, chipped, worn, jagged, sharp, and ugly   Smile Reconstruction is Expensive - a Nightguard is Inexpensive Both of these gentleman wanted better-looking smiles.  The second one was completed over 4 years ago; we are still in the process of completely rebuilding the mouth of the first gentleman.  Needless to say, it is very expensive to rebuild teeth like this.  Sadly, it could have been almost completely avoided if they had known about and used a nightguard years ago. So if you think you grind your teeth - call us today!  Sure, your nightguard might cost several hundred dollars.........but what is that compared to thousands and thousands of [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:46:05-04:00 March 3rd, 2009|Bruxism & Parafunction, Cosmetic dentistry, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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Migraine and Tension Headache Treatment

One of my favorite therapies to offer patients is the NTI-tss, also known as the Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition - tension suppression system. From the name, it's easy to see why we simply call it the NTI, though.  :-)  Why is it one of my favorite therapies?  For a very simple reason: it's not often that you can literally transform someone's life for the better in a couple weeks or months with no medications, no surgery, and at a very reasonable fee ....... but that is something that we do regularly with the NTI. It's such a simple-looking device, and it's often difficult for people to understand how such a small nightguard can make such a dramatic difference, and often even more difficult to believe that a dentist can help them, even after they have  been to every other kind of doctor and had every kind of test and scan imaginable. How does a dentist treat migraines with the NTI-tss? The essential basis for why the NTI is so effective is this: we now know that many migraines and chronic tension headaches are triggered by either CLENCHING or GRINDING of your teeth. [...]

By | 2013-10-03T12:22:31-04:00 January 26th, 2009|Bruxism & Parafunction, TMJ Problems, Migraines and Headache Relief|0 Comments
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