Dr. Del Nichols
The Wellness Club's most highly recommended dentist for the critical task of
safe mercury amalgam removal is also an expert in the treatment of TMJ
disorders.
The Wellness Club is very fortunate to have located an
holistic dentist who is highly skilled in the safe removal of mercury amalgams.
Dr. Del Nichols is also highly trained and skilled in the diagnosis and
treatment of disorders of the Temporomandibular Joints.
Here is what Dr. Del has to say about TMJ
Disorders:
- Do you suffer from headaches,
earaches, tenderness of the jaw muscles, or dull, aching facial pain?
- Does your jaw lock or stray to one
side when you open your mouth?
- Do you have clicking or popping
noises when you open and close your mouth?
- Do you have ringing or a fullness
in your ears?
These aches and pains may be related to the jaw muscles
and the jaw joint...
The TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint consists of bone, cartilage and ligaments.
The TM joint is one of the most complex and most used joints in the body.
Located on each side of the head, these joints work together and can make many
different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding action,
used when chewing and speaking. Like most joints, the TM joint functions best
when these parts are in proper relationship to each other. Just as the shoulder
or hip can become displaced, so can the TM Joint. This is TMD.
What is the TMJ?
 |
| Normal TM
Joint |
Displaced
TM Joint |
What are the symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
and what are the causes?
Symptoms
Patients often visit many different health care providers
in search of answers to their problems - not realizing these problems could be
caused by TMD.
Symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Pain in or around the ear that may
sometimes spread to the face.
- Earaches, congestion or ringing in the
ears.
- Headaches, Neck and shoulder pain.
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds when
opening and closing the mouth.
- Tender jaw muscles.
- Tired jaws or pain when chewing.
- Limited jaw opening or pain when you
yawn, chew or open your mouth wide.
- Jaw joints that don't feel quite right -
a feeling as if they are "locked, "stuck" or they "go out".
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Difficulty swallowing or closing teeth
together.
- Worn, cracked or sensitive teeth.
- Facial pain or pain behind the eyes.
- Numbness in the hands.
- Back Pain.
Causes
The causes of TMD are often difficult to pinpoint and can
result when the jaw muscles and/or the jaw joints are affected.
Some of the most common causes are:
- Clenching or Grinding Habits.
- Lower jaw too far back causing an
anteriorly displaced disc.
- Deep dental overbite, bad bite and/or
teeth missing.
- Trauma or Injury to the head or neck,
automobile accidents or
a whiplash injury.
- Bad Posture.
- Intubation (anesthesia) procedures
during surgeries.
- Stress is also thought to be a factor.
- Deprivation of air from Sleep Disorders
How Dr. Nichols can help...
Proper Diagnosis is vitally important. Information
acquired during your first visit is essential to proper diagnosis.
Depending on the seriousness of your TMJ situation,
additional diagnostic tests are conducted using state of the art computerized
diagnostic modalities.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) is a simple three
minute test that determines the level of jaw joint dysfunction.
Further diagnostic tests include:
- complete head, neck and posture
evaluation
- dysfunctional muscle activity
- abnormal jaw movements
- joint structure
A graphic presentation of test results and treatment plan
is discussed on your return visit.
Treatment
Patients benefit from non-surgical conservative treatment.
Once a thorough diagnosis has been made, patients are fitted with a customized,
easy to wear, comfortable dental orthotic (splint). The orthotic covers the
lower teeth which holds the jaw in proper alignment. Tension, inflammation, and
muscle spasms are reduced allowing the joints to heal. Patients who clench or
grind their teeth in their sleep wear special nighttime splints that eliminate
painful muscle spasms, headaches and other symptoms.
Treatment is usually effected in 2 phases:
The objective of Phase 1 is to stabilize the lower
jaw in the correct position, thus reducing pain and muscle soreness, improving
range of motion and eliminating noise (tinnitus).
Phase 2 is necessary to keep the jaw in the correct
position. This is accomplished with orthodontics, an overlay partial, or full
mouth reconstruction.
Dr.
Del Nichols is a Native Arizonan, born and raised in Heber, Arizona.
He
graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in General Dentistry in
1973. For two years he served his country and fellow men in the Navy as a naval
dentist. He returned to his roots and started his practice in Snowflake,
Arizona, in 1977.
He is a holistic dentist and has been removing mercury for
over 20 years. He is trained in TMJ, Sleep Disorders and Functional Orthopedic
Orthodontics.
We are pleased to be able to have Dr. Del working with our patients.
He is gentle, kind, patient, and above all, highly skilled! Why not
do as others have done, and plan a "Health Restoration Vacation" to
beautiful Snowflake, Arizona where you can be seen by Dr. Del for amalgam
removal. You can also have Dr. Myatt working closely with you to optimize this procedure and then provide you
with a Comprehensive Health Optimization Program uniquely tailored for your
needs. Please use the form below to contact
Dr. Del Nichols through The Wellness Club | 
