Understanding TMJ Disorder: Causes and Treatment Options
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, also known as TMD, can interfere with your health and quality of life, and we at High Street Dentistry are here to help. We understand the frustration of dealing with chronic TMD symptoms and are pleased to offer custom treatment options for lasting relief. You can always expect world-class care and service.
What Is TMJ Disorder or TMD?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is like a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. There is one TMJ on each side of the jaw, in front of the ears. These joints allow for the movement needed for eating, speaking, and facial expressions. Any TMJ damage or injury can result in considerable pain and discomfort and can impact your health and quality of life.
What Are the Causes of TMD?
In many cases, the exact causes of TMD are hard to pinpoint. However, factors that raise the risk of TMD include stress, an uneven bite, wear and tear of the jaw joints, trauma, injury to the jaw, head, or neck, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Some people suffer from TMD without any apparent causes.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of TMD?
Common symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder include a dull ache in the jaw and the surrounding area, frequent tension headaches and neck aches, tooth pain, facial swelling, painful chewing, biting, and yawning, and ear pain that may be mistaken for an ear infection or problem. Patients sometimes report a locked or frozen jaw, popping, clicking, or grating sounds, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
If you experience any TMJ disorder symptoms, make sure to contact your trusted team at High Street Dentistry for a consultation. Left untreated, TMJ disorders can progress over time, leading to a host of serious complications, including chronic TMJ inflammation, tooth erosion, fractured teeth, muscle spasms, interrupted sleep, and so much more!
What Are TMD Treatment Options?
After evaluating your condition, your trusted team at High Street Dentistry will discuss your best treatment options. If problems with the bite are causing your jaw pain and interfering with your jaw movement, orthodontic treatment can help alleviate the symptoms. At times, we may recommend placing a splint to reduce the stress on your jaw and improve your bite. In other cases, TMD treatment may be as simple as reshaping your teeth’s biting surfaces to help the jaw close correctly, a procedure known as occlusal equilibrium.
Other TMD treatments include custom intraoral appliances, which put a stop to teeth grinding and gently reposition the TMJs to a more favorable position, alleviating stress, reducing muscle strain, and relieving your TMD symptoms. In severe cases, patients may require maxillofacial surgery for the needed relief.
TMD Treatments Near Me in Jefferson City, MO
Contact High Street Dentistry to learn more about the symptoms and treatments of TMD. Our team will evaluate your unique concerns and recommend the most conservative solution for long-term TMJ pain relief. Call us to schedule your appointment today!