TMJ Treatment

“This may sound cliché, but it is the absolute truth. Dr Erich Herber improved my lifestyle.

How? You may ask… Well, let me start at the beginning. Many years ago, I started suffering from severe mouth pain. At the time I always thought it was a toothache and proceeded to see many different dentists who would give me a deep cleaning and eventually removed a back molar. I would feel fine for a while; however, the pain would always return and I would end up getting another deep cleaning. Never really solving the actual problem of my dilemma. I didn’t realize what the real cause of my jaw pain was until the year 2017, the left side of my jaw was hurting so bad, I couldn’t talk, eat or even sleep at night. At times it felt like I was suffering from three different types of pain that ranged from it feeling like something was digging deep inside the root of teeth or some force had hooked onto my left jaw muscles and trying to yank it out and last but, not least like a sharp electric spark striking the top of my jaw line. Didn’t matter what I did, there was no relief from the pain. That year I spent many nights wide awake due to the non-stop, throbbing pain and days sitting in waiting rooms of various Dentists hoping one would be able to fix my teeth. Until I met a dentist who said my teeth are fine, it is my TMJ that causing me pain. He simply recommended to take some Motrin and to go see a chiropractor. The Motrin and the chiropractor didn’t do anything for me, just seem to make it worse.

Though the chiropractor did give me a little more information on what TMJ is, I decided to take the information to my Doctor at Kaiser to see if he could help me with my problem. I went through many tests, x-rays and MRI before, Kaiser finally gave me an appointment to see a TMJ/TMD Specialist who simply took one look at me and said that my pain wasn’t severe enough to qualify for surgery. He proceeded to proscribe me with more drugs and a Physical Therapy Class which was a single 1-hour session. The Specialist told me it a pain I will have to learn how to deal with for the rest of my life and there is no cure. I attended the 1-hour physical therapy session and ended up with some paperwork about the jaw muscles and stretching exercises I can do at home. I have to admit, it did give me some relief for a few years. I was able to talk, eat and sleep with minor pain. You can say, I learned how to deal with the pain reminding myself it is going to be like this for the rest of my life. So, for the past 3 years I learned how to “deal” with the pain.

The year of 2020, I decided to switch my insurance from Kaiser to Cigna because, on the Cigna information sheet it stated they specialize in TMJ. With great excitement of the possibility of finding doctors who will finally help me with my TMJ pain I set up my first appointment in January with a Cigna Doctor. My TMJ pain was still “manageable” and the doctor recommended more drugs and recommended a Physical Therapist. By the time I got the recommendation COVID19 struck and the Physical Therapist wasn’t taking new patients. By Saint Patrick’s Day, my TMJ pain went from mild to severe. Again, I wasn’t able to talk, eat or sleep any longer. Finally, in mid-April, I was able to see thePhysical Therapist and, even though the Physical Therapist decided after ten 1-hour sessions was enough, my TMJ pain was still preventing me from being able to talk to my family and friends, I couldn’t allow myself to laugh at an extremely funny joke. Normally, I am the type of person who loves to laugh. I couldn’t even eat like a normal person. I was back to only eating a soft food diet consisting of oat meal, yogurt and apple sauce or soup. Even when eating soft foods was difficult.

Since, the pain was so severe preventing me from sleeping at nights, I spent the time either reading or watching YouTube videos, particularly car videos and any information regarding TMJ/TMD. YouTube started recommending videos of people suffering from TMJ pain seeing doctors who were able to cure them of their pain with various methods. This past August, I did more Google Searches to see if I could find a doctor, specialist or anyone who could help cure my TMJ pain. I found Dr. Erich Herber in Temecula who specializes in TMJ. Not only was I desperate for a cure but, I felt hopeful. I immediately set up an appointment. I could tell right away after meeting with him that he would be able to assist me. As soon as I could I set up the appointment with him to be fitted with a customized brace and treatments. It may sound too good to be true but, after a couple days of constantly wearing my brace my jaw pain I started to notice a difference in jaw. After a week of wearing it and the second treatment session, I was able to talk more, eat solid foods and actually get a good night’s sleep. I am in my 5th week of wearing my brace and treatment session. Yes, at times I do feel a quick, sharp pain. It feels like a mild electric shock to my left jaw or the bottom of my jaw will tighten up in pain but, it is no longer severe and it goes away so fast it hasn’t bothered me like in the past. I can feel the healing process take affect and I have noticed the alignment of my jaw improve. I am positive that once my treatments are completed my jaw will be pain free and back to normal.

This is why I say Dr. Erich Herber has improved my life style. I can talk, laugh, sleep and eat. This review is rather long but, I am hoping this will help other people who are suffering from the same symptoms as I and if you need to see a Specialist who can help you with your TMJ pain, I highly recommend setting up an appointment with Dr. Erich Herber.

Thank you, Dr. Herber.”

- Paul B.

“I wish I would have found Dr. Herber and his staff sooner. In 2 weeks, TMJ is 95% resolved. Pony up. Pay the money. Get your life back. Very fortunate to have knowledgeable TMJ practice in our area.”

— Mike D.

“Dr. Herber has been treating my TMJ for several weeks. I've had great improvement after only a few visits. He and his staff are very pleasant to work with. I highly recommend Dr. Herber to treat your dental needs.”

— Diane C.

“What a pleasant experience at Dr Herber’s dental office! Everyone is kind and attentive. He sees one patient at a time, so you get undivided attention. I was so happy to find someone that is knowledgeable about TMJ and how to treat it! I have seen amazing results so far! Dr Herber’s own experience with TMJ increases his empathy of my pain and everything I have been dealing with in having this disorder. I am so glad I found him!”

— Sally H.