Dentist
The term “TMJ Dysfunction” describes an imbalance in the relationship of the jaw to the skull. This imbalance causes two problems for those that suffer from it. First, it leads to improper alignment of the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs) which connect these two bones. Secondly, it creates disharmony in the muscles which attach to the bones. The cascade of painful symptoms that arise solely from these two problems is staggering to most people. Although most times the pain is not actually in the TMJs themselves, you can feel your own by pressing your fingers just in front of your ears and opening and closing your mouth.
Testimonials
I have suffered from constant neck and back pain for 8 years. I have tried every manner of relief/cure that I could find. This has included extensive Chiropractic work, physical therapy, acupuncture, posture studies, massage and regime of anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.
The last doctor I saw is one of the premier neck and spine specialist in the Puget Sound region. After exhaustive testing that included a CAT scan and real-time, full motion X-Rays, he concluded that there were no structural problems with my spine or connecting soft-tissue. His advice was that I begin taking drugs for chronic pain management. In short, I was 34 and being told I would be on pain medication and at limited capacity for the rest of my life.
Shortly after this, I came to Dr. Keller’s TMJ clinic. I had cracks in three of my back teeth due to my long habit of grinding my teeth at night. Several of my officemates were patients of Dr. Keller and had recommended him to me.
During my initial consultation with Dr. Keller, he pointed out to me the unnatural orientation of my lower and upper teeth to one another. It was not something I had not noticed before. After the work for my cracked teeth was finished, he ran some additional tests on the neurology of my bite. After about 15 minutes of testing, he looked at me and asked “do you have chronic neck pain?”
During successive visits, Dr. Keller mapped the three dimensional relationship of my jaw to the corresponding muscular response. From this data, he made a retainer for my lower jaw that oriented my bite so that my jaw and neck muscles rested at neutral when I closed my mouth. Within 2 days of wearing the retainer, I was 100% pain free.
The retainer was a temporary “place holder” for were my jaw should rest permanently. Once Dr. Keller had determined that this was the correct orientation, he stabilized my jaw into a position that was healthy for my muscles and joints. I now have a comfortable bite, a stronger, more attractive jaw-line and above all a ticket back to the active pain-free life I had abandoned 8 years earlier. All of this accomplished with no surgery in merely a few appointments.
It is difficult to express the length of my gratitude towards Dr. Keller and his team. Aside from the relief of 8 years of pain, he and his team successfully balanced the ability to remain consummate professionals while keeping a warm and inviting personal relationship. It is the only clinic I have ever visited where I was greeted by name. They care about their work, their results and their patents. I could not recommend them any more highly.
For the past four years I’ve desperately searched for relief from my chronic headaches. I tried cold packs, nerve testing, MRI, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, ultrasound, stellate ganglion blocks and the list goes on. Unfortunately nothing helped and I began to lose all hope. The suffering was effecting my life to the extent that I almost lost my job from missing too many days. Luckily for me I found Dr. Keller on the internet. He told me he’d had numerous cases of chronic headache sufferers that he’d successfully helped, so I decided to try his treatment. Within 4 days of Dr. Keller’s occlusion therapy I’d already noticed dramatic improvements in my symptoms. Now, 3 months later, my symptoms have vanished and it has changed my whole life back around. Thank you for your encouragement and skill in lifing this pain from my body and soul.