About Dr. Jeffrey S. Haddad
Headache dentist Jeffrey S. Haddad is the founder of the Michigan Center for TMJ & Sleep Wellness. He has trained extensively in the use of TMJ treatment to reduce or eliminate headache pain.
Dr. Haddad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997 from the University of Michigan. He continued to work at the University of Michigan until 2001, when he received his Doctor of Dental Science (DDS). Dr. Haddad didn’t consider this the end of his training in dentistry, but merely the beginning.
His training as a headache dentist began in earnest when he took continuing education at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), the leading postgraduate institution for neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry education. His studies here were so extensive that in 2011 he was awarded the honored rank of LVI Fellow in recognition of his mastery of neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry.
In 2012, Dr. Haddad completed a TMD and Sleep residency. This training helped him expand his understanding of dental medicine to include the treatment of headaches caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD). It also helped him understand the close connection between TMJ and sleep apnea, and how both of them could contribute significantly to headaches.
Why a Headache Dentist?
A dentist is probably not who you think of when you consider getting treatment for your headaches. And not everyone will benefit from the treatment of a headache dentist, but if your current treatment plan isn’t giving you relief from your headaches, it may be time to consider a different approach with care from a headache dentist.
A dentist who treats headaches takes a different approach from your traditional doctors. Instead of looking at the area where the pain is being felt, he seeks to find the area where the pain is being caused, often the temporomandibular joints.
The temporomandibular joints are located on either side of the head, linking your lower jaw to your skull. These joints exist at a vital crossroads of the body, where vital nerves, your airway, and other crucial systems intersect. As a result, dysfunction in these joints can cause dysfunction in other bodily systems, and can put pressure on crucial nerves. Among the other potential effects of TMJ is headaches. People who experience headache along with other TMJ symptoms should see a headache dentist for treatment.
A headache dentist can also help if the cause of your headache is actually related to dental causes, such as toothache, tooth infection, or gum disease. If you haven’t seen a dentist in awhile, you should consider seeing a dentist for your headaches.
A headache dentist may also be able to help if dental work is actually the source of your headache. If your headache started after dental work, and hasn’t improved even though your main dentist has performed alterations, then it might be time to see a headache dentist.
What to Look for in a Headache Dentist
Finding a headache dentist means looking for different skills than your typical dentist. Make sure your headache dentist has training in neuromuscular dentistry and the treatment of TMJ. Practicing neuromuscular dentistry requires certain technologies, so make sure a dentist has tools like a TENS machine, a K-7 diagnostic suite, and T-Scan bite measurement. Also make sure a headache dentist offers a full range of services related to TMJ treatment and understands the intersection between TMJ and sleep apnea.
You will also want to find a headache dentist that you trust. Talk to friends and family about their experiences with headaches dentists, if they have any. When choosing your headache dentist, it is best to talk to more than one dentist and find the one who best convinces you that they deserve your trust.
If you are looking for a dentist who treats headaches in the Detroit area, please call (248) 480-0085 today for an appointment at the Michigan Center for TMJ & Sleep Wellness.
