You Have Tried Everything for Your Jaw Pain. Try the Dentist Who Trained for This at the Highest Level in the World.
Dr. Bethaney Brenner is one of only 4 dentists in the world with Masters-level DTR training — the most advanced, proven approach to resolving TMJ disorders at the source, not just managing the symptoms.
What Is DTR Therapy — and Why Does It Matter for Your Jaw?
Most dentists treat TMJ symptoms. DTR therapy treats the cause.
DTR — Disclusion Time Reduction — is a precision-guided approach using computerized analysis of how your teeth come together during movement. Instead of guessing, we measure. Instead of masking pain, we correct the underlying mechanics driving it.
Dr. Brenner has achieved Masters-level certification in DTR therapy — a credential held by only 4 dental professionals worldwide. This is not a weekend course. It represents years of advanced training, clinical cases, and examination at the highest level of the field.
Are You Struggling With…
Constant Jaw Pain
It starts the moment you wake up — that familiar ache in your jaw, temples, or neck. By afternoon it has spread to a headache. By evening you are exhausted from managing it. If this sounds like your day, you are not imagining it. It is TMJ, and it is treatable.
Jaw Popping & Clicking
That pop every time you open your mouth wide. The click when you chew. The moment of embarrassment in a quiet room. TMJ clicking is not just annoying — it is a signal that the joint mechanics are off. DTR therapy identifies exactly where the misalignment is.
Pain When Eating
When you have to choose foods based on what your jaw can handle, something is wrong. Avoiding your favorite meals is not a long-term solution. Treatment is. Most of our TMJ patients are back to eating normally within weeks of starting care.
TMJ Affects More Than Just Your Jaw
Many patients are surprised to learn how wide the reach of a TMJ disorder can be. Common symptoms include:
Many patients with these symptoms have been told by their primary care doctor — or even other dentists — that everything looks fine. TMJ disorders are frequently underdiagnosed because they require specialized training to identify. Dr. Brenner has that training at the highest level in the world.
How DTR Treatment Works
Comprehensive Evaluation
We do not guess. Your first appointment includes a detailed assessment of your bite, jaw movement, and muscle tension — using computerized T-Scan analysis to measure disclusion patterns invisible to the naked eye.
Diagnosis at the Source
Most TMJ treatment addresses symptoms. DTR therapy identifies the specific bite interference — the exact point where your teeth are creating a chain reaction of muscle tension and joint stress. We show you on-screen what is happening before we treat it.
Precision Adjustment
Using the DTR protocol, Dr. Brenner makes targeted, minimal adjustments to your bite. No night guards to wear forever. No surgery. In most cases, patients feel a measurable reduction in muscle tension at the first appointment.
Follow-Up & Monitoring
We track your progress with the same precision we used for diagnosis. You will see your results, not just feel them. Most patients complete primary treatment within a few appointments.
Why Dr. Brenner
There are dentists in Connecticut who treat TMJ.
There is one who has trained at the highest level on earth.
Dr. Bethaney Brenner has been practicing in Burlington since 1980. In those 45 years, she has specialized progressively in the intersection of dental health, jaw function, and sleep — areas most dentists touch on, but few truly master.
Her DTR Masters certification is the result of years of advanced clinical training and examination — a credential only 3 other dental professionals in the world have earned at this level. She also holds four America’s Best Dentist designations and was named CT Magazine’s Top Dentist in 2009.
She hosts The Sleep Show on WDRC 1360 AM — a Saturday morning radio program where she explains the TMJ-sleep connection to Connecticut audiences. The show exists because these questions deserve real answers.
Patients come to Dr. Brenner from across Connecticut — many after years of failed treatments elsewhere. The credential is not just a title. It is the reason the outcomes here are different.
“The bite is a mechanical system. When the mechanics are off, the body compensates — until it can’t. DTR therapy lets us see exactly where the system is breaking down, and correct it with precision most dentists simply don’t have access to.”
— Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD
TMJ and sleep are deeply connected. Most TMJ patients have sleep disruption — and many also have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Hear Dr. Brenner explain the connection in her own words on The Sleep Show, airing Saturdays on WDRC 1360 AM / Talk of Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder (also called TMD, temporomandibular disorder) is a condition affecting the temporomandibular joint — the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. Symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, ear pain, and difficulty chewing. TMJ disorders affect an estimated 10 million Americans and are more common in women than men. They are frequently underdiagnosed because they require specialized training to identify and treat.
What is DTR therapy for TMJ?
DTR — Disclusion Time Reduction — is a precision-guided TMJ treatment that uses computerized bite analysis to identify and correct the specific tooth contacts driving jaw muscle tension and joint stress. Unlike symptom-management approaches such as night guards, DTR addresses the mechanical cause of TMJ pain. It is considered one of the most advanced approaches to TMJ treatment available, and Dr. Brenner holds Masters-level certification — one of only 4 dentists worldwide at this training level.
How is Dr. Brenner different from other TMJ dentists?
Dr. Brenner holds a Masters-level DTR certification — one of only 4 dentists worldwide at this training level. She has practiced in Burlington, CT since 1980 and has specialized in TMJ, sleep disorders, and airway dentistry for over 45 years. Most dentists who offer TMJ treatment have general training. Dr. Brenner’s training is the most advanced available anywhere in Connecticut.
Does TMJ cause headaches?
Yes. TMJ disorders are a leading — but frequently overlooked — cause of chronic headaches and migraines. The temporomandibular joint is located close to the skull, and muscle tension from jaw dysfunction radiates to the temples, forehead, and neck. Many patients who have been diagnosed with tension headaches or migraines find significant relief after TMJ treatment.
Can TMJ cause ear pain and tinnitus?
Yes. The temporomandibular joint sits directly in front of the ear canal and shares nerve pathways with the ear. TMJ dysfunction commonly causes ear pain, a sensation of fullness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). These symptoms are often misattributed to ear infections or hearing problems. An evaluation by a TMJ specialist can determine whether the jaw is the true source.
Is TMJ treatment covered by insurance?
Coverage varies significantly by plan. Some dental plans cover TMJ evaluation and appliance therapy. Medical insurance sometimes covers TMJ treatment when it is documented as medically necessary. We recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment. Our team can help you understand your benefits and discuss all payment options available.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
With DTR therapy, many patients notice measurable improvement at their first appointment. Full treatment typically takes several visits over a period of weeks. Unlike ongoing symptom management such as night guards worn indefinitely, DTR therapy aims to resolve the underlying cause — meaning you are not in treatment forever.
Does TMJ affect sleep?
Yes. TMJ disorders and sleep problems are closely connected. Jaw muscle tension increases at night, pain disrupts deep sleep stages, and teeth grinding (bruxism) — a common TMJ symptom — is strongly associated with sleep apnea. Many of Dr. Brenner’s TMJ patients also have sleep-related issues, which she addresses through her dual specialization in TMJ and sleep medicine. Watch The Sleep Show to hear her explain this connection in depth.
If your jaw pain has not responded to other treatments — this is the next step.
Most of our TMJ patients arrive after trying other options. That is not failure — that is why we are here. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Brenner and find out what the most advanced TMJ training in the world can do for your jaw.
Or call us directly: (860) 673-7155 · Serving Burlington, Avon, Farmington, Bristol, Simsbury & all of Connecticut
