Dr Jerry Simon 
November 19th, 2024 
By Dr. Jerry Simon, DDS Founder of Dental Care Stamford & Expert in Treating TMJ & Headaches
For additional related information, visit: headaches-tmj.com
November is TMJ Disorder Awareness Month—a perfect opportunity to dive into the complexities of TMJ Disorder, clear up common misconceptions, and help patients find the lasting relief they deserve. Being your own health advocate starts with knowledge, so understanding TMJ Disorder is key to making informed decisions about your care. Take a few minutes to read and share this article with friends, family, and even your healthcare providers—you never know who else might be experiencing similar symptoms and could benefit from a better understanding of TMJ-related issues.
True Story: A Misdiagnosed TMJ Disorder Gone Wrong… Not once, TWICE!
Dr. Jerry Simon is the founder of Dental Care Stamford with decades of experience treating TMJ Disorder and headaches. He recently treated a patient who had been struggling with persistent jaw pain for years. She had visited multiple dentists who, lacking specialized knowledge in TMJ disorders, misdiagnosed her condition—not once, but TWICE. She underwent two root canals and even had teeth extracted—yet her pain continued.
After years of unnecessary procedures and countless doctor visits, she finally found her way to Dental Care Stamford based on the testimonials of other patients with similar symptoms. During her visit, Dr. Simon quickly identified the root cause: she had an uneven bite. By realigning her bite, he eliminated the strain on her TMJ, bringing her long-awaited relief and restoring her quality of life. Watch Testimonial
Let’s start with one of the most common misunderstandings: “TMJ” doesn’t actually refer to a disorder itself. Unlike conditions such as diabetes or gum disease, where the diagnosis names the issue directly, “TMJ” stands for the temporomandibular joint—the joint alone, not the disorder. (img. 01) When someone says, “I have TMJ,” they’re simply naming the joint we all have, not the actual problem. A more accurate term would be “TMJ-related Disorder,” as this condition stems from issues that cause the joint to be dysfunctional rather than the joint itself being the problem.
Unfortunately, many people–including healthcare providers and dentists– lack a full understanding of TMJ Disorder, making it difficult to recognize the causes and symptoms. This results in misdiagnoses and prolonged discomfort for patients; as seen in the story shared above, where a patient’s misdiagnosing led to enduring two unnecessary tooth extractions.
TMJ Disorder is often assumed to cause only dental-related symptoms like jaw pain, jaw locking, or tooth discomfort. When issues like headaches, neck pain, or facial discomfort arise, TMJ Disorder never comes to mind, so people don’t think to seek help from a dentist. In fact, TMJ Disorder can lead to a wide range of symptoms that extend far beyond the jaw, affecting the head, neck, face, and even ears.
TMJ Disorder involves a complex misalignment between the teeth’s biting surfaces and the jaw joints. More specifically, the TMJs—two joints that connect the jaw to the skull—help the upper and lower teeth fit together smoothly by adjusting the jaw’s position. When the bite is uneven, the TMJ must work harder to align the teeth, placing excessive strain on the muscles that operate these joints. These muscles connect around the head, neck, face, and jaw, which is why headaches or facial pain could actually be dental-related. Studies suggest that up to 75% of cases involving head, neck, or facial pain may be due to an uneven bite.
An uneven bite can result from clenching, grinding, aging, or naturally misaligned teeth. Every time you talk, chew, swallow, or clench, these muscles work overtime to maintain alignment, leading to muscle fatigue, soreness, and eventually, inflammation. This can cause pain that radiates through the jaw, head, neck, and ears. Many people with TMJ disorder suffer from severe headaches or migraines which tend to be misdiagnosed as tension or stress headaches.
Stress does not cause headaches; rather, it intensifies existing symptoms. When you’re stressed, your tolerance for pain decreases, making you feel the symptoms more severely. So, no, stress is not the cause. Misdiagnosing it as such not only fails to address the root problem but also leads to unnecessary treatments, numerous tests, and prescriptions for potentially addictive pain medications—none of which resolve the actual issue.
Watch this 1 min video, “How the Jaw Works,” for a visual explanation:
Since TMJ Disorder can mimic symptoms of migraines or ear infections, and there isn’t a straightforward test to diagnose headaches like there is for blood pressure or diabetes, general practitioners, even dentists, regularly misdiagnose their patients. Most healthcare providers have little reason to suspect there to be a connection between TMJ Disorder and the symptoms their patient is presenting–especially since TMJ has been traditionally considered a dental issue. Why would a physician think their patient’s headache could be linked to their bite alignment? This lack of awareness isn’t anyone’s fault; medical and dental professionals simply aren’t widely educated on the complexities of TMJ-related pain. Our mission is to spread awareness of this connection to prevent the all-too-common cycle of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.
Using his FDA-approved, patented Best-Bite Discluder (img 02)—a small, non-invasive device—Dr. Simon can identify if the bite is the underlying cause of a patient’s pain within minutes. By temporarily relieving the stress on the joints during this quick test, patients often experience immediate, though brief, relief. If this test alleviates their pain, it confirms that an uneven bite is to blame, and Dr. Simon can then create a treatment plan to resolve the issue.
Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?
Here’s what you should do:
TMJ Disorder Awareness Month is crucial for educating patients and healthcare providers about this condition. Studies show that a large portion of head, neck, and jaw pain cases are dental-related, yet many go untreated or mistreated. Accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment can dramatically improve life for those who suffer from TMJ-related symptoms, headaches or migraines.
At Dental Care Stamford, we believe in collaborative, specialized care. Our team brings together multiple dental specialists under one roof, ensuring seamless coordination for every patient’s needs. Whether you’re seeking a routine exam, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, or TMJ & treatment for your TMJ-related symptoms or headaches, our comprehensive approach means no need for external referrals, minimizing delays and maximizing convenience. Explore Services
If you or someone you know suffers from persistent headaches, jaw pain, or other TMJ-related symptoms, reach out to Dental Care Stamford. Dr. Simon and our team are here to provide a non-invasive, medication-free solution to chronic TMJ pain. For a wealth of related content, visit headaches-tmj.com or click here to view an overview while staying on Dental Care Stamford’s main website.
If you suffer from headaches, migraines, jaw pain, neck tension, facial discomfort, or have been diagnosed with TMJ Disorder, and are still have not found relief... it's more than likely your bite. Take Dr. Simon's FDA-approved, non-invasive test and know within minutes if the source of your pain is from your bite. It's time to get you back to a life you love, pain-free!
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