TMJ Dentistry in Orinda, CA
By Dr. Jess Santucci.
Life Changing Treatment From Your Orinda Dentist
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is located in your jaw. Occasionally, this joint can become inflamed and lead to severe headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, and other debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Jess SantucciLearn more about our dentist has the expertise and advanced knowledge to not only treat the symptoms of TMJ but identify the cause too. He has enjoyed years of extensive training and utilizes state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders correctly.
Through the use of neuromuscular dentistry, Dr. Santucci can treat problems associated with jaw misalignment and TMJ.
This area of dentistry focuses on the correlations between the functionality of the mouth and the rest of the body, including the nervous system, muscles, and circulatory system.
Only truly qualified neuromuscular dentists, like Dr. Santucci, have a definite understanding of this complex association and are able to offer relief to those suffering from pain and discomfort.
TMJ Pain Relief
Our neuromuscular dentist uses a two-phased approach:
- Phase 1 - Orthotic Treatment A TMJ appliance (much like a mouthguard) is worn to place your jaw in its correct physiological position.
Once your pain and symptoms subside, you have the option of sticking with this orthotic treatment, or moving on to the next phase.
- Phase 2 - Neuromuscular Orthodontics The object of this second phase is to keep your jaw in its correct physiological position without the need for an orthotic.
Dr. Santucci investigates both the bone and muscles around the jaw. He then creates a custom treatment plan for full mouth rehabilitation. Using multiple cosmetic and restorative services, he can give you a balanced pain-free bite.
Discover how our neuromuscular dentist in Orinda, CA can help you.
Our TMJ dentist uses T-Scan technologyOpens a new window to the TekScan website to assess your bite.
Mouthguards do more than just protect your teeth, they can actually help realign your entire body. Misalignment of the jaw through injury or teeth grinding can impact your skeletal alignment, which, in turn, can affect your sports performance and health. With our action guards, you can experience real protection while you perform at your best.
Action Guards
These neuromuscular mouthguards improve your jaw alignment, which can start a domino effect in your body. Once your jaw is aligned, you can experience postural alignment, increased strength, more flexibility, improved balance, and better oxygen flow. You’ll also receive full teeth and mouth protection, with the advantage of your best performance possible.
TMJ Testimonials
I suffered for many years with daily head and neck aches. I had no idea of the cause and took daily doses of Advil to relieve the pain. Just through casual conversation with Jess, he was convinced that the source of my problem was that my bite was off. He also felt that this was the reason that I was grinding my teeth. We began the process to correct my bite, and I now have a very comfortable jaw, and the constant pain is gone. This has had such an amazing impact on my life.
During the process, I was in the office to see Jess every 2-3 weeks for adjustments. It may sound crazy, but I always looked forward to my appointments! Everyone there is so happy and friendly, and I have always enjoyed my visits. I no longer have the need for the same frequency of visits, which is great, but I really miss seeing them all.”
Dr. Santucci introduced me to Neuromuscular Dentistry. Now, I sleep more soundly at night, I no longer feel the tension in my neck and back, I have no feeling of water in my ear, the clicking does not happen when I open and close my bite, I stand up straighter, I’m not grinding down my teeth, and the greatest part of all is how comfortable my bite is with my orthotic.
I never knew how uncomfortable my mouth and bite was until Dr. Santucci introduced an orthotic into my life. It has literally changed my life. Thank you, Dr. Santucci, for taking such great care of me!”
From a young age, I’ve always had a clicking noise in my jaw whenever I ate, laughed, or even yawned. Growing up I thought it was normal. As years passed my condition worsened and there were times when my jaw would lock in place and through maneuvers I would always get it back to what I considered “normal”.
In my adult life my condition worsened with small headaches in the beginning. It got to a point where I went to see dentist after dentist and all I was given was pain meds, but never was I given a solution to my problem. By early 2016, my jaw pain had gotten to the point where I could no longer chew semi-hard food and couldn’t open my jaw more than 2 inches. My headaches were unbearable and I felt at my end. I was referred to the “best of the best” as I was told by my dentist, the TMJ specialists at UCSF. Same result; pain medications and therapy, which again ended with the same result = PAIN.
Just when I thought I was at my breaking point and was considering “alternative” treatments my employer recommended me to her dentist – Dr. Santucci! From the moment I walked into his office his smile and welcoming demeanor made me feel at ease. When I explained my problems to him and he said he knew exactly what my problem was and the ideal treatments to RELIEVE me of problems – I didn’t believe him! So after giving him and myself a chance, my pain started to go away without pain medication. Session after session my condition got better and better and everything was turning around for me. I was now able to eat without pain, yawn, and laugh.
Dr. Santucci has been nothing less than what he promised he would be – a solution! That may not mean much to some but it’s something I never had when it came to my condition and that’s all a patient really wants. Thank you Dr. Santucci! You have been a Godsend!”
What impressed me the most was how Dr. Santucci very logically and scientifically figured out the root cause of the pain, and therefore, how to relieve it. Using instruments to measure my muscles’ energy output in various positions, he was able to quickly identify the most relaxed position for my jaw and create an orthotic to keep my jaw in that position. After three weeks with the orthotic, the pain was completely gone. Needless to say, the absence of pain leads to a better quality of life.
Dr. Santucci has been attentive and his office is well-run and responsive. He even responded to me when I damaged my orthotic over the weekend while he was on vacation. This level of service is hard to come by.
I will still need orthodontics so that I don’t need to wear the orthotic forever, but in the meantime, many thanks to Dr. Santucci and his team for their support and for making the pain go away.”
I knew during my first visit that I had made the right choice. After I completed a diagnostic assessment, Dr. Santucci patiently explained my results, the areas that needed immediate attention, and the plan for progress. Through a series of sessions, Dr. Santucci relieved many symptoms that I was experiencing due to bite issues.
Dr. Santucci is not an advocate of the short-term “slap a bandage on the issue” approach. His philosophy is about finding a long-term solution, not temporary fixes.
I am so grateful that Dr. Santucci was able to stabilize my bite. This seemingly small issue was the root of many of my other issues and getting that addressed has really improved my quality of life.
I highly recommend Dr. Santucci and his entire staff. The level of service they offer is excellent. I have also seen them for dental procedures (crown restoration, fillings, and aesthetic teeth straightening) and my experience has always been consistent. They really go out of their way to make sure that each of your visits are comfortable and as stress-free as dental work can be.”
When I went to see Dr. Santucci, I was eagerly searching for an escape from the consistent pain that plagued me. I was scared to fall asleep at night, knowing I would further damage my teeth. His practice of Neuromuscular Dentistry had the solution. I was fitted for a custom orthotic that helped regulate my jaw so that I could bite down properly. Not only did I get immediate relief from the pain, but I also now wake up every morning more well-rested than ever.
With the numerous health afflictions that we all deal with, it’s great to see that there really are solutions out there that can unequivocally work. I’ve had so much success that my mom and sister now have their own custom orthotics as well!”
Dr. Santucci made a custom neuromuscular orthotic for me, and after just one appointment, my headaches disappeared. I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but he has changed my life. Anyone who suffers from chronic migraines knows how exhausting and frustrating it is. Having the confidence that my day will not be interrupted by a debilitating headache is amazing.
Dr. Santucci is much more than your typical dentist. He is dedicated to high-quality treatment and customer service and is constantly seeking out new methods and advancements to bring to his practice. I recommend him and his amazing staff to everyone I know.”
Once Sophia became Dr. Santucci’s patient I can honestly say we had a break through in her everyday life. Dr. Santucci fitted Sophia with a custom orthotic and in the last 2 months Sophia’s headaches and night terrors are nonexistent. Because she is rested I can see that her tics have minimized as well.
The orthotic Dr. Santucci constructed for my daughter has been a major health benefit for her well being and a huge factor in her self confidence for a 13 year old girl.
I can not thank Dr. Santucci enough for taking care of Sophia with his patience, genuine compassion, attention to detail and follow-up. Your care has cured my daughter of her debilitating symptoms.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
Our quality is our difference.
- CALL US:
925-254-4633 -
VISIT US:
61 Avenida de Orinda, Orinda, CA 94563 -
EMAIL US:
team@jesssantucci.com