TMJ in symptoms like jaw pain explained by your Waterford, MI dentist
Terms like TMJ, TMD, TMJ dysfunction or disorder, and TMJD are thrown around like baseballs in the dental and, sometimes, medical field. These terms tend to be used interchangeably to describe disorders of the Temporomandibular joints. All very interesting, but what does this really mean, and how does it apply to you? In fact, these terms may apply to more people than we know. This is because each describes a collection of problems in the joints of the jaw.
TMJ disorder is most commonly thought to produce popping, clicking, or grinding sounds in the back of the jaw when speaking or chewing. Interestingly, these symptoms are neither always existent in TMJ disorder, nor do they always indicate dysfunction in the TMJs. Your TMJ specialist knows to look for other symptoms, and to recognize those that may easily be attributed to some other problem, as TMJ disorder. Additional symptoms to pay close attention to include dizziness, ringing in the ears, jaw pain, chronic headaches, and even chronic tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. In our Waterford, MI dental practice, we have helped many people realize the cause of chronic pain. More importantly, we have helped them regain comfort and function.
At Metropolitan Dental Center, patients receive diagnostic testing and care from professionals specifically trained in neuromuscular dentistry. We have the educational background and direct experience to find the cause of TMJ stress and correct that problem, thus restoring function to these vital joints.
TMJ does not have to be a long, complicated problem. Contact Metropolitan Dental Center for care tailored to your oral structure.
The technicalities
TMJs are the Temporomandibular joints. These joints are situated on each side of the jaw, just in front of the ears. It is their responsibility to facilitate the movements made by the lower jaw, such as opening and closing, or moving from side to side. If the Temporomandibular joints become dysfunctional and disordered, the condition is referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder, or, more simply, TMD or TMJD. For simplicities sake, dysfunction is usually just referred to as TMJ, though this would not be correct – technically.What it means to you
The neuromuscular structure of the face and head is both delicate and complex. The TMJs, in particular, are susceptible to damage from a number of different factors, including degenerative processes like arthritis, misalignment, injury, or strain from unconsciously grinding or clenching the teeth. When the potential root causes of TMJ are so widely varied, one would not be surprised to learn that symptoms do, as well.TMJ disorder is most commonly thought to produce popping, clicking, or grinding sounds in the back of the jaw when speaking or chewing. Interestingly, these symptoms are neither always existent in TMJ disorder, nor do they always indicate dysfunction in the TMJs. Your TMJ specialist knows to look for other symptoms, and to recognize those that may easily be attributed to some other problem, as TMJ disorder. Additional symptoms to pay close attention to include dizziness, ringing in the ears, jaw pain, chronic headaches, and even chronic tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. In our Waterford, MI dental practice, we have helped many people realize the cause of chronic pain. More importantly, we have helped them regain comfort and function.
Customized solutions for the individual
Many people with TMJ disorder have been unable to find solutions to their ongoing discomfort through conventional medical means. In the past several years, developments in the treatment of TMJ have included customized treatment with oral appliance therapy. Though this form of treatment, combined with lifestyle modifications, is thought to produce positive effects, there is more to consider than positioning the jaw to relieve stress. Oral appliances provide temporary relief. To achieve real results that last involves finding and treating the cause of TMJ stress, which is different for every person.At Metropolitan Dental Center, patients receive diagnostic testing and care from professionals specifically trained in neuromuscular dentistry. We have the educational background and direct experience to find the cause of TMJ stress and correct that problem, thus restoring function to these vital joints.
TMJ does not have to be a long, complicated problem. Contact Metropolitan Dental Center for care tailored to your oral structure.