Martin Bassiur, DDS
Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Headaches
Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Oral Orofacial Pain, Headache

Relief from Orofacial Pain and TMD in Manhattan, NY

For most people, general soreness and the occasional headache are just minor disturbances in their day, easily taken care of with an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, for others, persistent discomfort in the head, neck, face, or mouth can represent a significant, underlying disorder that requires treatment from a specialist.Patients throughout New York City and northern New Jersey can rely on the expertise of Dr. Martin Bassiur and Dr. Jennifer Bassiur to help alleviate orofacial pain. 

Contactone of our conveniently located Midtown offices for help today.

Finding Relief from Orofacial Pain with Our Manhattan Specialists 

Orofacial pain disorders are defined as conditions that cause patients to experience pain in their mouth, jaws, or face and the effects can become debilitating over time. Due to the various musculoskeletal and neuropathic factors involved, it can be challenging to locate the source of these disorders, and a unique approach to treatment is often required. Seeing a qualified specialist allows you to gain an accurate diagnosis and discuss the most beneficial option for your individual situation. Our dentists are not only well trained in diagnosing all types of orofacial pain, they both spend time educating other professionals on the subject. Dr. Jennifer Bassiur serves on the faculty at Columbia University School of Dental Medicine and is also the director of the Center for Oral, Facial & Head Pain.  

Patients experiencing discomfort caused by chronic headaches or pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles have many options that alleviate symptoms. For those facing these issues, determining who they should see for treatment can sometimes be confusing. Often, the best approach is a collaboration between medical doctors and orofacial specialists. 

Martin Bassiur, DDS, specializes in the management of orofacial pain for patients in Manhattan, as well as the neighboring communities. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Types of Orofacial Pain

When patients seek our help with orofacial pain, we offer solutions provided with compassion and professionalism. Dr. Bassiur conducts a thorough and individualized exam to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort. He takes the time to explain his findings so you fully understand the benefits of any proposed treatment. All of our offices are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring your care is carried out with precision.

Dr. Bassiur, along with his dedicated staff, helps patients through the management of orofacial pain, including, but not limited to:

  • Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are caused by injuries to the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. Patients with this condition frequently experience headaches, clicking sounds in their jaw, lockjaw, and muscular soreness in the area. Many factors contribute to TMD, including stress, clenching or teeth grinding, and injuries to the jaw joint and associated head or neck muscles.
  • Headaches can be a minor disruption for some, while others may experience frequent discomfort. Chronic headaches can be the result of sleep apnea, TMD, or other orofacial pain disorders. 
  • Myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) is a result of pressure on sensitive trigger points in the muscles. This sensitivity is often caused by stress-related tension or repetitive muscular contraction. The pain involved is typically persistent and, if untreated, could develop into a more complicated issue.  

Our Options for Orofacial Pain Management

There are many treatment options that address the discomfort caused by these disorders. Our office can treat your symptoms with corrective procedures, pain relief medication, or specially-designed oral appliances. 

Those with continuous orofacial pain can benefit from any of these recommended treatment paths. We offer several helpful topical and oral medications to ease symptoms. Occlusal night guards are effective devices to prevent damage and discomfort from grinding or clenching teeth. For certain cases, BOTOX® or myofascial trigger point injections can relieve pain and relax muscles, as well. 

Helping Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)

The most common source of chronic orofacial pain occurs from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Common indications of these disorders include pain in the jaw or ear area, a popping sound when opening or closing the mouth, and headaches. While these symptoms can be addressed in a variety of ways, our Manhattan team first takes a conservative, non-surgical approach with our patients.In many cases, Dr. Martin and Jennifer recommend alleviating the discomfort of TMD through simple adjustments such as a change in diet, practicing facial exercises regularly, and applying ice packs to reduce swelling as necessary. If symptoms are not reduced through these methods, our dentists can prescribe pharmaceutical options to reduce inflammation, relax the jaw muscles, and manage pain. A more formal physical therapy process can also help you gain relief from TMJ issues. There are several intricate treatment options available, depending on the severity of symptoms present. Some patients benefit from Botox, electronic nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and trigger point injections to loosen the affected muscles and allow for smoother movement. Our TMD specialists reserve correction through surgical procedures as a last resort, though these are effective in resolving pain caused by structural problems within the jaw joint.

Contact Us Today!

Dr. Bassiur has the extensive training and experience to diagnose and treat a variety of complications brought on by orofacial pain. Patients can at any of our convenient locations across Manhattan, the five boroughs, and Northern New Jersey to receive the help they need to alleviate discomfort and prevent these disorders from returning.