Headaches and Migraines

Do you suffer from headaches and pain in your jaw joints and muscles?

Have you noticed that your teeth are chipping, cracking or wearing down?

Do you have disturbed sleep, or wake up tired?

You could be experiencing from a dental problem, Myofacial Pain Dysfunction Sydrome (MPDS)

Whilst the causes of headaches are often varied, emerging science reveals that a number of dental problems, including jaw posture, the bite relationship of teeth, and nocturnal grinding can conspire to create muscle tension and adaptive behaviours that can precipitate headaches including migraines. These problems are collectively called Myofacial Pain Dysfunction Sydnrome (MPDS).

The correct diagnosis and treatment of headaches of dental complex origin can include correction of dental bite anomalies, muscle relaxation treatment with the aid of BTx and the use of night guards to provide support for correct posture of the mandible.

Therapeutic muscle relaxing Injections to the masseter and/or temporalis muscles (the main muscles that control jaw movement and are implicated in headaches) can prevent these muscles from clenching and thus improve comfort considerably. The injections are quick and painless, and the relieving effects of treatment take full effect within a couple of weeks. The relief offered by dental BTx treatments can last for several months. (usually 4- 6 months). There is no harm in repeating the treatments, and after some time the muscles learn to relax and so the need for continued treatment can be diminished in many cases.

Dr Lazaris also utilises the Dentabite occlusal splint or grinding guard. This is a precision device that is CAD CAM computer designed and manufactured to provide smoothly contoured surfaces that protect your teeth and jaws whilst sleeping. Most traditional splints are quite bulky and patients are naturally reluctant to wear them. The computer-aided design of this device creates a contour that is snugly-fitting, relatively small and very comfortable.

The aim of this combined treatment is to reduce the triggers for vascular headaches and migraine pain and Dr Lazaris has provided relief for a number of patients with this technique.

Effective headache treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach between physician, dentist and chiropractor or physiotherapist. Dr Lazaris has an established relationship with doctors and therapists who specialise in the management of headaches.

If you have headaches that have resisted treatment, a consultation with Dr Lazaris could soon improve your condition with non-invasive and predictable jaw joint treatment.

Signs and symptoms of MPDS

• Chipped, worn and broken teeth
• Crooked teeth
• History of orthodontic treatment (especially involving extractions)
• Ear complaints, including tinnitus, vertigo, ear pain
• Tender jaw muscles, especially temporalis muscles
• Lock jaw, jaw creaking and clicking
• Postural problems
• Sleep apnoea
• Headaches, migraine and tension-type
• Psychological – depression and insomnia