Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small hinge joint located in front of your ear where the skull meets the lower jaw. It allows the lower jaw to move easily when you speak and chew.
A small shock-absorbing disk protects the parts of the bone that meet this joint. When this disk is in healthy condition and working properly, it allows the joint to work smoothly.
Symptoms and Causes of TMJ
What most people refer to as TMJ is actually a collection of disorders associated with the joint. TMJ disorder is not uncommon and has a variety of symptoms.
You may experience frequent headaches, earaches, and a limited ability to open your mouth. You may also notice a clicking or grinding sound in the joint or feel pain when you open and close your mouth.
Before we can decide on a solution, we must find the cause. Once we discover the cause of your TMJ symptoms, we can plan treatment accordingly.
TMJ symptoms can result from a wide variety of problems, and you may actually have more than one problem that contributes to TMJ. It takes careful study by a trained dentist to identify the source of your symptoms, and we’ll work with you until we find the cause and the most effective solution. Some of the possible causes of TMJ include:
- Trauma to the face or jaw
- Excessive grinding of your teeth
- Dislocation or damage to the temporomandibular joint
- Malocclusion, or a misaligned dental bite
Treating the symptoms of TMJ is not as complicated as it may sound – it’s often possible for us to reduce your symptoms without costly and complicated surgery. Once we've diagnosed the source of your TMJ, we'll plan the type of treatment that will be most effective for relieving your symptoms. Many patients benefit from a simple FDA-approved device that is customized to fit comfortably over your front teeth.
The appliance works by keeping your upper and lower jaw from coming into contact with each other while you sleep, reducing stress on the jaw joint. This appliance is designed to minimize the uncomfortable symptoms associated with TMJ, including headaches, teeth grinding, and migraines.
Please Contact Us to Get Started
The first step in eliminating the annoying and painful symptoms of TMJ is to contact us to arrange for a complimentary consultation at our North Center dental office. We offer late evening appointments, and we’re also open on Saturdays for your convenience. Dental insurance may cover your TMJ appliance, and we will work with you to determine your portion of costs before we begin treatment.
There is no reason to allow TMJ to disrupt your life. Our team members are dedicated to providing you with effective, up-to-date dental health solutions. We will take all the time necessary to work with you to find the treatment that best fits your needs and restores your quality of life.