“I had severe pain in my jaw and ear when I was referred to Dr. Klein. He diagnosed my problem as TMJ and started to treat the situation right away. Within two months the pain had subsided, thanks to him and his staff. I would recommend anyone with my condition to Dr. Klein.”
KMC, 2013
“I was having TMJ pain and I was seeing my dentist but nothing was working so I checked Angie’s list for someone who handled TMJ and found Dr. Klein office. His office is really close to my home so I thought I would call to make an appointment. My first visit I met with his staff and Dr. Klein. He spoke to me asking questions regarding my TMJ. His office did x rays of my bite guard in and out. Dr. Klein checked my TMJ joints and said they were very tight and yes he was right I am always in pain. I have been going 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Now 2 times a week for 4 weeks for PT on my TMJ joints which is helping me I have less pain. Dr. Klein also wrote scripts that help with pain and muscle spasms. I was never aware of all the treatments that can be done until I saw Dr. Klein and his staff. The staff that takes care of you are wonderful. The 2 girls [assistants] have been with Dr. Klein for years. They go into your mouth with [vinyl] gloves and massage both joints which is so relaxing. If you are having pain or jaw popping or headache’s this sure is the place to go to. I’m sure you will like his staff and the Doctor is wonderful.”
Todd Clem, 2013
“I’ve experienced TMJ symptoms (clicking/minor jaw pain/headaches) sporadically throughout my life but those symptoms became more persistent and got progressively worse over the last year or so. As the symptoms started to get worse and I was experiencing pain on a daily basis, I spoke with my dentist about it. He provided an appliance and suggestions to mitigate my symptoms but they all resulted in a dead end.Months went by and the pain seemed to grow exponentially. Everyday activities I used to take for granted like chewing, talking, and even yawning were a chore. I had no choice but to seek a specialist and Dr. Klein came highly recommended. The care that I’ve received from Dr. Klein and his team was second to none. Now just months after receiving my orthotic, I am virtually pain free and the clicking and headaches are no longer an issue. I feel like I have my life back and I cannot be more grateful!.”
Suzanne Runyon, 2013
“I was referred to Dr. Klein to address my TMJ problem which was a result of a car accident. Not only am I pain free today, but I also fell I have made lifelong friends. Dr. Klein’s staff has the kindest, warmest, and most helpful individuals I have ever encountered. As far as Dr. Klein goes, I think he is the most competent, knowledgeable and compassionate doctor I have met in a long time. Never have I met a staff like theirs – they are all the best!.”
Phyllis (not pictured), 2013
“I went to a dentist, endodontist, oral surgeon, and neurologist for my tooth/facial pain. I was experiencing extremely painful spasms and an electric shock sensation that made it hurt to talk and difficult to eat. Just trying to brush my teeth would set off spasms of pain. I also had pain in my neck that I hadn’t realized was related. I had panoramic x-rays and brain & inner auditory canal MRIs done. I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and prescribed medication. When I told my neurologist that the pain also seemed to be affecting my jaw, he referred me to Dr. Klein. I am so thankful he did. I had kept a pain journal and brought it in to my first visit with Dr. Klein, and he actually took the time to read it. After taking x-rays, he told me I had TMJ and explained how it was involved with my pain. I was given an orthotic appliance to wear and he taught me a facial stretching/massage technique. I had some improvement almost immediately. After several months of wearing the painless orthotic, I am finally pain-free and no longer taking any medications for pain. Dr. Klein and his staff are very kind and compassionate. I am very grateful and thankful for all of their help and for giving me my life back!.”
Ronald Matthews, 2012
“I came to see Dr. Richard Klein about three years ago, and I had severe pain in my ears and jaw at that time. Dr. Klein and his staff applied therapy techniques to help relax the muscles around my jaw, and over the following weeks I could feel that the muscles were more relaxed and the pressure in my ear subsided. Dr. Klein also recommended that I wear a mouthpiece at night to stabilize my jaw and keep it in proper alignment. Now in November of 2012, I’m doing great. I am no longer experiencing any pain in my jaw and ear, and only need my mouthpiece checked about four times a year. I recommend that anyone who has TMJ problems consult with Dr. Klein and his wonderful staff.”
Maria Raimondo, 2012
“The doctor and staff here are very understanding and so friendly. They were very helpful in diagnosing and treating my condition. I would recommend this office to anyone with similar problems. Thank you, Dr. Klein, for all your help.”
Earl, 2012
“I have been a patient of Dr. Klein’s for the past five years. I went to Dr. Klein with a long list of symptoms ranging from jaw pain, sensitivity to light, to brain fog. I originally learned about Michigan Head & Neck Institute from my local dentist of 30 years, who was not able to help with my severe TMD [Temporomandibular Joint Disorder]. So, my dentist referred me to the best doctor her knew in Michigan.I remember my first appointment, and I had thought Dr. Klein would be just “another doctor” but I was so wrong. Dr. Klein never made any false promises, and said it would be a gradual process, and would take some effort on my part to get my condition under control. The staff at Dr. Klein’s office is top-notch. They are very empathetic to your condition, and when it’s time to see Dr. Klein you feel very comfortable and he focuses directly on you and your condition. To the person reading this: pick up the phone and make that appointment because it will be the best thing you can do for yourself. Thank you Dr. Klein and staff, you’re simply the best and you have helped me enjoy life again!.”
Judy Buresh, 2012
“I had serious TMJ problems. I had gone through surgery, but was still not getting any better. I started to see Dr. Klein in December 2011. At that time I had swelling in my jaw and could not eat. Since seeing Dr. Klein, the pain and swelling are gone and I can easily eat and even yawn! If you have any jaw problems, go see Dr. Klein. I highly recommend him.”
Marija Sunda, 2012
“I suffered with TMJ problems for many years. After having my sinuses treated and after being on many different medications, I came to see Dr. Klein. He has made me feel better than I ever have! He is very knowledgeable, and has a friendly staff. If you are suffering from TMJ, don’t hesitate – go see Dr. Klein because he can make you feel better.”
Definition
TMJ stands for your Temporomandibular Joints (jaw joints). Each person has a left and right TMJ and can experience a problem or dysfunction in only one side or both.
A TMJ Dysfunction is typically referred to as a TMD, although TMJ is more commonly used by non-medical personnel in lieu of TMD to describe a problem.
There are different problems that can be categorized as a TMD. Sometimes a TM Joint can be dislocated or move improperly because of tightness in the surrounding muscles, and looseness of the TMJ disc.
Although two people could have a TMD, they might have different things that are wrong with their TMJ. Dr. Klein spends significant time with each new patient to learn about their lifestyle, possible injuries, discuss imaging results, and comprise a treatment plan if a TMJ problem is diagnosed. His in-depth patient evaluations follow the teachings of his mentors, including former President John F. Kennedy’s own physician Janet Travell who was a pioneer in the study of trigger points.
Causes
TMJ is a medical problem which (like most medical problems) has multiple causes such as:
Pre-existing bite problems
Muscle strain or jaw imbalances
Trauma to the jaw and even neck areas
Whiplash can even lead to a TMJ problem as the head tends to hyper-extend from the jaw during the sudden movements and could result in dislocation, or other injury.
It can arise due to problems with your bite, muscle strain or imbalances, or damage to tissues in the head, neck and facial area. Displacement of the disk in your TMJ can be a permanent condition which may be controlled with proper care.
Symptoms
TMJ dysfunction is called “The Great Imposter” because its symptoms can mimic those of many other conditions. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing any combination of even a few of the symptoms listed above, please talk to your doctor about a possible TMJ problem or call us today.
Headaches don’t respond to medication
Jaw and/or facial pain
Pain behind the eyes
Excessive tears
Hearing loss
Ringing/buzzing in the ears
Dizziness
Clicking/popping noise with jaw movement
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Ear pain
Ear congestion
Sensitivity to sounds
Trouble swallowing
Treatments
While some surgeries are available for different TMJ dysfunctions, Dr. Klein takes a conservative approach to treating the condition that even most surgeons prefer to be the first course of action. Some of the treatments offered at Michigan Head & Neck Institute include:
Wearing a corrective orthotic (mouthpiece) which can be adjusted as need for each patient
Physical therapy which can include tens unit usage, physical massaging of the area around the TMJ joints, and heat applications
Helpful guidance toward helping each patient understand their condition, and how to avoid harmful daily habits that might worsen their condition
Pain-relieving injections and other non-invasive options
Such treatment can be covered by insurance, so please contact our office if you would like to know if your insurance plan provides coverage
Definition
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed (which is a combination of the previous two).
A person with sleep apnea of any kind experiences multiple episodes throughout the night where their breathing actually stops – that commonly sounds like a loud snore, snort, or gasp for air while they sleep. Leaving sleep apnea untreated is like rolling the dice with your life every night. Untreated sleep apnea can cause many dangerous medical issues, and even death because breaks in breathing deprive the body’s cells of oxygen and then they can deteriorate permanently.
Facts About Sleep Disorders
Left untreated, sleep apnea increases one’s risk of heart attack and stroke
Drowsiness is blamed for some 200,000-400,000 auto accidents annually, with the cost at $50-100 billion
90% of those who snore exhibit sleep apnea tendencies
Hypertension is present in approximately 50% of patients with diagnosed OSA
Uncontrolled sleep apnea can lead to exaggerated fibromyalgia, concentration problems, type II diabetes, stroke and irritable bowel syndrome
Over long periods, uncontrolled sleep apnea results in intellectual and memory deterioration
Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure to develop, as well as heart and lung problems
Anxiety also has a negative relation to sleeping soundly
Because of sleep disorders, thousands of jobs are lost annually, with the cost in U.S. production exceeding $60 billion
Sleep apnea has played a role in several disasters including the three mile island meltdown, the Challenger explosion, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Causes
It is important to remember that although the following are common causes of sleep apnea, it can be present in people of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities.
Obstructive
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a person’s airway becomes obstructed by the collapse of soft tissue in the throat, or by the tongue falling back until the airway is forced back open (that is when a snort or gasp would be heard). Typically obstructive sleep apnea is worse when someone sleeps on their back, but can also occur in other sleeping positions. Characteristics such as having a large neck, enlarged tonsils and/or obesity can contribute to a person’s risk factor in developing OSA.
Central
Central sleep apnea happens when signals from the brain get disrupted when communicating with the respiratory system and essentially do not tell the person’s body to breathe. Central sleep apnea is common in people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the injury can make it difficult for the brain to communicate in many different ways.
Coincidentally people who suffer from a TBI have a high chance of also having an undiagnosed Temporomandibular Disorder caused by the same initial trauma.
Symptoms
Do you wake up fully refreshed and full of energy with a good level of concentration? If you don’t, you might have an undiagnosed sleep disorder that could be extremely dangerous. Please talk to your doctor about a possible sleep disorder. The symptoms of all three types of sleep apnea are essentially the same and include:
Fatigue
Frequent Illness
Memory Problem
Depression
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Voice Hoarseness in the Morning
Sleep Talking/Walking
Loud Snoring
Irritability
Weight Gain
Headaches upon Wakening
Difficulty Breathing Through Your Nose
Falling Asleep While Driving
Night Sweats
Treatments
There are different treatment options available to someone that has been diagnosed with any of the types of sleep apnea.
Depending on the type of sleep apnea you have been diagnosed with, the cause of your sleep apnea, the severity of your sleep apnea and your age, some of the treatment options available include lifestyle changes, wearing an oral appliance (mouthpiece) at night, using a C-PAP machine (or similar machine), or even surgery.
At Michigan Head & Neck Institute
we exclusively offer treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that consists of creating a custom-fit oral appliance (mouthpiece) which is customized to be comfortable and can be adjusted to meet the requirements of each patient. Each patient that chooses to use an oral appliance (OA) as treatment, will receive follow up sleep studies (whether an at-home sleep study or a sleep study in a sleep lab) which will ensure the OA is positioned accordingly. A sleep physician can discuss the various sleep test options with each patient. There are over 100 different oral appliances that are able to be made for OSA. Dr. Klein works with each patient to provide options while finding the one best for the patient. Each mouthpiece advances the lower jaw to keep the airway open all night. Such treatment can be covered by insurance, so please contact our office if you would like to know if your insurance plan provides coverage.
At Michigan Head & Neck Institute, our focus is on restoring our patients’ quality of life. We also focus on supporting our community with involvement from helping local schools to helping the senior citizens of Warren in various ways, which can be seen in the various awards given to Michigan Head & Neck Institute such as the Warren Beautification Marigold Award for several consecutive years.