FACIAL PAIN

The term facial pain encompasses the atypical pain of headaches or migraines, the pain of the TMJ or the jaw joint, and even the debilitating pain of trigeminal neuralgia or Ménière's disease. Dr. Coker has successfully treated many patients who are experiencing facial pain with Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR), which is an advanced therapy using a computer-assisted approach, developed by Dr. Robert Kerstein, of Boston, MA, that makes minor adjustments to teeth, improving occlusion and allowing the muscles to relax. By improving occlusion and relaxing muscles we can eliminate pain and any need for surgery.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a type of chronic pain disorder that involves sudden attacks of severe facial pain. It affects the trigeminal nerve, or the fifth cranial nerve, which provides feeling and nerve signaling to parts of the head and face. Pain attacks typically last only a few seconds (but can last up to two minutes) and may occur over and over again several times a day.

Symptoms of TN include:

  • Sudden, intense pain, often described as a shock-like or stabbing pain typically on one side of the face

  • Burning, throbbing, numbness, tingling, or dull aching sensation in between attacks

The intensity of pain can be physically and emotionally devastating. TN attacks typically stop for a period of time and then return. Pain attacks can be triggered by vibration or contact with the cheek (such as when shaving, washing the face, or applying makeup), teeth brushing, nose blowing, eating, drinking, talking, or being exposed to the wind. The pain may affect a small area of the face or it may spread.

Many physicians treat the pain with drugs or lasers or even brain surgery. DTR therapy treats the cause without surgery or drugs, which indicates it may be the most advantageous first line of therapy.

Dr. Ben Sutter, a dentist in Eugene, OR, has been successfully treating trigeminal neuralgia with DTR for many years. Dr. Coker has been trained in DTR and has been treating this malady in his Tyler, TX office for the past four or five years.

Dr. Sutter Discusses Trigeminal Neuralgia

Ménière's DISEASE

A disorder thought to be caused by fluid in the ears which can produce symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo and hearing loss. It is considered to be incurable, but symptoms are treated with drugs, physical therapy, hearing aids and even surgery. Oftentimes, Ménière's disease can be treated with DTR by a trained and qualified dentist.

Dr. Sutter Discusses Ménière's Disease

MIGRAINES & TMD

TMD/TMJ is a disorder affecting a person’s two temporomandibular joints, which are located directly in front of your ears. A patient struggling with TMD may experience a wide range of painful or aggravating symptoms, among them frequent headaches or migraines.

After a thorough examination and evaluation, Dr. Coker may recommend treatment with DTR. Many patients have told us, “I’ve had migraines for years and after two or three treatments, I am migraine free!.”

Dr. Sutter’s Signs and Symptoms of TMD/TMJ

T-SCAN AND DTR

The T-Scan is one of the most important pieces of equipment in our office. Dr. Coker uses it to find how a patient’s teeth are hitting together.

You may ask, “Who cares?” or “Why does that matter?”

Did you know that the way your teeth fit together can have a direct impact on how you feel?

Oftentimes, dental work can be a culprit. In the past you may have gotten a cavity filled or had a crown placed that seemed to interfere with your “bite.” Maybe you had a sore tooth because you suddenly began hitting it hard when you ate. If not corrected, you may have had jaw pain or headaches or even gum recession. In some people it may have even progressed to Meniere’s disease.

Just checking your “bite” with the T-Scan can help Dr. Coker adjust any new dental work. He adds a technique called DTR (disclusal time reduction) to help him diagnose more complicated cases which includes adding electrodes to help relax your jaws.

If you suffer from facial pain, call the Tyler, Texas office of Dr. Coker at 903-581-1777 and make an appointment for a thorough exam.

If you prefer to discuss your symptoms before scheduling your exam, sign up for a consult.