Headache TMJ Specialist Dr Wagner DMD

ABOUT DR. WAGNER

TMJ Disorders, Facial Pain & Headaches

Melinda Wagner, DMD is a general dentist with expertise in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD). Dr. Wagner brings to Red Bank and the surrounding Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean Counties decades of dental practice experience. She studied the challenging subject of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. She completed a two year residency with a publication on the relationship of temporomandibular joint disorders to tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Her general dental practice ensures that her patients achieve the best possible dental outcomes. Her attentive and caring staff have helped to elevate her practice to the highest level of dental service and care to her patients.

The personal touch of small practice dentistry is unique in our current health care environment. This enhances Dr. Wagner’s ability to provide the best results whether it is for general dental care, cosmetic dentistry or for treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Unique to her practice is also the care that her dental hygienists provide. Not only do they provide routine care for her general dental patients but they also have expertise with those patients that have difficulty opening wide due to jaw pain or dysfunction.

What Is Temporomandibular Disorder?

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition that results from malfunction of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ’s) or from the muscles, ligaments and tendons that are responsible for the movement of your lower jaw. While TMD can occur due to a number of factors, common causes of the disorder include clenching or grinding your teeth, injury to the head and neck, stress, missing teeth, arthritis, autoimmune disorders and tension relieving oral habits such as: nail biting, lip biting and cheek biting.

There are many different levels of TMD. Some patients are locked and can not open wider than one finger distance whereas other patients may be suffering from headaches, inner ear pain and ringing in their ears.

The Most Common Symptoms of TMD:

• Chronic facial pain
• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• Inability to open wide
• Clicking and popping of the jaw joint
• Night time grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
• Jaw clenching
• Tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears)
• Ear pain
• Neck pain
• Waking up in the morning with tooth pain, jaw pain and facial pain

Relief From TMJ Disorder

Patients who suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMD) know exactly how debilitating it can be. Not only can TMD make talking, eating, and smiling unbearable, it can cause permanent tooth and jaw joint damage.

From simple behavior modifications, to oral appliances, Dr. Wagner can offer her patients relief. However, many patients need much further care.
Dr. Wagner provides many physical therapy modalities and is certified to provide Botox and Trigger Point injections for TMD relief. If needed, medications are prescribed short-term for acute pain. There are extreme cases that require surgery, and/or orthodontic treatment. Dr. Wagner has expertise working with highly experienced orthodontists and oral surgeons in the treatment of TMD.

Dr. Wagner is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School. After graduation she completed a one year general practice residency at Monmouth Medical Center. She proudly served in the New Jersey Army National Guard for six years attaining the rank of Captain.

Her professional memberships include:

Awards:

Dr. Wagner was the first female president of the Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society. She was recently honored for 25 years of dedicated dental service on the teaching staff at Monmouth Medical Center. She is a member of Donated Dental Service. She also serves as a member of Peer Review for the NJ Dental Association. Her years of experience as both a teacher and a practitioner has given her skill set a unique depth and respect by her patients and fellow practitioners.

Please call our office at 732-747-2032 to set up a convenient appointment.