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TMJ is the acronym for temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw (the mandible) to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions, like chewing. If the chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain you may have temporamandibular disorder, or TMD. TMD can be caused by stress, continual clenching of the jaw muscles, or teeth grinding or due to an acute trauma to the jaw bone.
Some of the symptoms of TMD are:
- Pain when opening or closing mouth
- Trouble chewing and muscle fatigue when chewing.
- Jaw becoming stuck open or shut
- Headaches and mucle tension
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth
- Inner ear pain or and ear ache
- Teeth Grinding or clenching
Many of these symptoms can often be associated with other health problems, so it is important to be properly diagnosed with TMD or another problem. Teeth grinding is an especially problematic symptom because it can lead to further problems. Prolonged teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause enamel to wear off teeth and expose dentin, which is softer than enamel and more prone to decay. If enough tooth structure is lost due to bruxism or grinding it can also cause a worsening joint (TMD) problem with shortening of the teeth. Sensitivity to hot and cold food or drink may also develop from excessive teeth grinding.
If you suspect you may have TMD come in for a consultation. We can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short term methods to provide relief for pain symptoms. A customized dental night guard can be used to help prevent or lessen the effects of teeth grinding at night .Guards can also be fabricated for people that chench or gring during the day. This relieves most patients problems.Sometimes In very severe cases of TMD, surgery may be required, but behavioral treatments to change the way you use your jaw muscles are usually enough to provide relief.
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