Kate Brayman DDS

TMJ Treatment on Long Island, NY

TMJ Specialist on Long Island NY

Dr. Kate Brayman treats the pain of temporomandibular joint disorders at her practice, Kate Brayman DDS in Long Island NY. If you experience pain in the jaw, difficulty chewing, pain while chewing, or aching facial pain, contact our dental office for an appointment. The doctor can evaluate the problem and determine if a night guard for teeth grinding will relieve your pain.

TMJ Specialist Long Island NY

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What is TMJ treatment?

TMJ Specialist on Long Island NY

Our mouths contain a great joint known as the temporomandibular (TMJ), connecting the skull and jawbone with complex movements such as opening/closing the mouth and sliding from side to side. It also enables us to enjoy life’s most basic functions like speaking, yawning, and chewing – making the temporomandibular joints one of the most significant yet intricate joints in our body.

There is a TMJ on each side of the jaw. Many patients every year are diagnosed with a TMJ disorder which requires treatment of some kind. Usually, these disorders cause pain and they may limit the movement of the jaw.

It’s usually hard to determine exactly what is causing someone’s TMJ disorder. Several things could possibly cause pain and stiffness. In some cases it’s genetic. It could also be a sign of arthritis, or it could be the result of an injury as well. One of the major probable causes is teeth grinding (bruxism). This is often caused by stress, which makes people habitually tense their muscles, including the muscles in the jaw.

In the vast majority of cases, a TMJ disorder is temporary, and you can relieve it with treatment at home. However, if the pain lasts too long and at-home treatments are not sufficient, then surgery is a last resort option. 

TMJ disorders can present themselves in several ways. Pain and discomfort might be felt on either side of the face or both, and women tend to have TMJ disorders more often than men, and it most commonly affects those between the ages of 20 and 40.

What are the symptoms and causes of TMJ?

Do you experience any of these symptoms in your jaw or face? These could all be signs that you suffer from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder:

  • Jaw pain
  • Difficulty or pain while chewing
  • Lockjaw
  • Painful clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth
  • Stiffness in the jaw muscles
  • Difficulty speaking clearly due to pain from grinding teeth at night (bruxism)
  • Headaches
  • Pain in the jaw joint itself or surrounding areas like the back of your head; behind your ear, or on either side of your face near the cheekbone

A common cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping. Another factor could be physical trauma, such as a head injury that disturbs the shock-absorbing disks at each end of the bones in this area. For older adults, arthritis developing within their temporomandibular joint may lead to related pain and discomfort symptoms.

How does Dr. Brayman treat TMJ?

A plastic dental night guard may be the answer if you suffer from TMJ. The plastic dental guard covers the upper or lower teeth, which helps eliminate clenching while you sleep, relieving painful jaw tension. 

For the most effective treatment of TMJ, Dr. Brayman offers the NTI-type night guard–a convenient and comfortable solution that fits just over your front teeth. This compact yet powerful dental appliance helps stop jaw clenching while sleeping and prevents migraine pain. The NTI is a better option for many patients than the full dental night guard.

If you’re located on Long Island, NY, particularly in the towns of Woodbury, Syosset, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Melville, or Plainview, feel free to contact us or visit our dental clinic so we can assess if you’re a good candidate for a TMJ treatment.

How Much Does TMJ Treatment Cost?

What your TMJ treatment ends up costing can depend on several factors. What is causing your TMJ pain can have an impact on how much your treatment costs.

If you only need a mouthguard, then it will be relatively inexpensive. Medication is also a lower-cost way of treating a TMJ disorder.

If your TMJ dentist is more experienced and has extra training, then your treatment may cost more as well.

If your TMJ disorder requires mouth reconstruction or jaw surgery, then you can expect to pay up to $50,000.

Does Health Insurance Cover TMJ Treatments?

If you have dental or medical insurance, then there’s a good chance that you are covered for several TMJ treatments and procedures. TMJ disorder treatments are not cosmetic procedures. If there are several procedures that you need, then you may be covered for several things, but not covered for others. It’s important to discuss with your dentist’s insurance specialist to see how to make the best use of your coverage. 

Even though oral surgery is often covered by medical benefits, and other treatments are eligible for dental coverage, to best understand the coverage of your dental care plan and ensure that you can prepare for out-of-pocket expenses, it’s essential to explore all available options with a professional before making a decision.

Despite careful consideration from your insurance provider, there are rare instances when an authorized procedure might still not be covered. Fortunately, our dental office team is here to assist with alternatives like credit or financing plans if you are ever facing such a situation.

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Why Choose Us?

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01

Experience matters

With 15 years of experience, we are equipped to provide efficient, safe, and reliable dental care. Check out more about our dentist, Dr. Kate Brayman DDS here.

02

the right technology matters

Our advanced technology can enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment precision – leading to better patient outcomes, reduced discomfort, and better communication.

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03

Transparency matters

We aim to foster trust with you as our patient, which enables you to actively participate in your overall dental health journey.

Major ppo dental insurance plans accepted

If you do not see your insurance provider listed, please contact us.
Unfortunately we do not accept Medicaid, Healthplex, HMO, DMO and some other dental insurances.