TMJ Disorder Treatment
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders encompass a range of issues related to your complex jaw joint. If you’ve experienced symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you may be pleased to know that diagnosing and treating these problems is now easier than before. These symptoms arise when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) don’t function together properly. TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is the name of each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Because some types of TMJ problems can progress to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are crucial.
Trouble With Your Jaw?
TMJ disorders can develop for various reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, causing your jaw muscles to tighten and stressing your temporomandibular joint. An injury or disease can damage the joint directly or stretch and tear the muscle ligaments. This can cause the disk, which is made of cartilage and serves as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, to slip out of place. These issues can lead to a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or grating sounds when you open your mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth wide.
Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?
- Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
- Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
- Do you experience frequent headaches or neck aches?
- Does the pain worsen when you clench your teeth?
- Does stress exacerbate your clenching and pain?
- Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
- Is it challenging or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
- Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
- Do you have joint problems such as arthritis?
- Do your teeth no longer touch when you bite?
- Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
- Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
- Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?
