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TMJ/Bite Therapy

We take our work in jaw comfort and function seriously at Advanced Sleep and TMJ Centers. Dr Jeff Horowitz has studied under some of the world’s leading clinicians in the field and now teaches these disciplines to dentists and physicians alike. It is our belief that the best treatment can only be offered following an accurate diagnosis. While our history and questionnaires may seem tedious, what you will see is how many of the bodies systems are inter-related. What you will also find is that no-stone will be left unturned in our assessment to accurately diagnose your condition.  It is our opinion that the best care a patient can get starts with direct and honest answers. Once you have understood your condition, personalized treatment recommendations will be offered which may involve coordinated care with other specialists when indicated.

Many patients understand “TMJ” as a diagnosis when in actuality, it is an abbreviation for the joint that controls jaw function, the Temporo-Mandibular Joint. Some patients suffer with actual structural damage to the joint itself(TMD or Temporo-Mandibular Disorder), while some patients suffer with muscle dysfunction and or unclassified facial pain (MFP or Myo-Facial Pain). In some cases, both conditions may be present.


Every TMJ patient is unique. There are three primary components that define every patient with a TMJ problem. The first of these components is the anatomical condition of the temporomandibular joint structures. Whenever there is damage to the temporomandibular joint then the bite relationship is also distorted, thereby causing the second component, changes to the bite, muscles and dental function. Finally, there are several potential sources of pain that typically affect patients with TMJ disorders.

TMD Symptoms

  • Jaw pain


  • Headaches


  • Earaches


  • Pain in the neck or shoulders


  • Difficulty opening your mouth wide


  • Jaws that "lock"


  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw


  • A tired feeling in your face


  • Difficulty chewing


  • Ringing in your ears


  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together


  • Swelling on the side of your face


  • Tooth pain

These symptoms can be extremely debilitating, making it difficult to eat, speak, and sleep. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to request an appointment with Dr. Horowitz today.

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What makes us different?

  • We will always give you direct answers about your TMJ

    We will not make any recommendations about your TMJ treatment without first assessing everything about your temporomandibular joint and the associated head and neck structures. Although there are many indirect methods to evaluate a TMJ, we will directly image your anatomy with the latest 21st century techniques, including Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans when indicated. If the joint structure is damaged, then we will tell you so. We will fully explain the condition your joint is in, the prognosis with and without treatment, and what treatments are indicated for your specific joint condition. At times, muscle dysfunction, cervical spine and or nervous system anomalies may be responsible for all or some of your symptoms. A comprehensive exam in conjunction with high quality imaging will allow us to accurately diagnose your condition allowing for the best treatment decisions.

  • We will always explain everything about your TMJ

    What many patients do not realize is that a healthy TM Joint is supported by the back teeth and proper bite function. In turn, the teeth and bite must be protected by healthy joint structures.  We will not make recommendations about your bite management without a complete analysis of your bite and how all of the teeth relate during function (occlusion). Although there are many differing theories and techniques for bite analysis, we will be direct and thorough. Complete study casts taken from digital scans of your bite may be mounted on dental articulators. This bite will be compared to the CT scan and MRI scan of your temporomandibular joints. Our bite analysis will include an assessment of all phases of jaw opening and closure with direct comparison to the MR scans. We will tell you how your bite developed, what joint condition is supporting your bite, when your supporting dental work should be performed, where we expect your bite and facial appearance to go in the future, and why the treatment of your bite is important.

  • We will always explain how your bite, teeth, and airway relate to your TMJ

    We will not make recommendations about changing your jaw and facial structures without a complete analysis of your skeleton. Although there are many cosmetic techniques to improve facial and dental features, we will completely analyze your facial structures before we recommend any cosmetic or functional changes. Our analysis of your facial skeleton will include all visible exterior features as well as a complete assessment of the sinus cavities, tongue space, and pharyngeal airway. We will image your facial bones, utilizing modern CT scan technology, and if you are developing an airway blockage because of an unstable jaw then we will tell you so. We will tell you how your facial bones have developed, what may have caused any cosmetic or functional change, when your changes are best corrected, where the structures are headed in the future, and whether your temporomandibular joint is the direct cause of facial alteration.

  • We will always explain the potential sources of your pain

    We will not make any recommendations for treatment of your pain without understanding why you have pain. If we cannot determine your pain source then we will try to help you find a doctor who can. We promise to look into pain from your joint structures, bones, muscles, teeth, neck, sensory nerves, migraines, fibromyalgia, and sympathetic nerves. We will tell you how to best address your pain, when your pain may progress,and why it is critical to keep your pain under control.

  • We will always explain your options for treatment, and the expectations that you may have from the treatment that you select

    At Advanced Sleep and TMJ Centers we promise to offer diagnosis and treatment that results in the best care that we can offer. After fully understanding the condition of your TMJ and bite, your teeth and facial features, your airway, and your pain if present, we will make recommendations for treatment. Although there are many options for treating joints, bites, and pain, we will focus directly upon your condition and on the treatment that is best fitted to your diagnosis. We will give you both a best and worst case scenario for each option. We will tell you how to compare various treatment options, what approaches are best for you, when your treatment should occur, where your treatment may go in the future, and why treatment may either succeed or fail.

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