TMJ (Temporamandibular Joint)
Do you suffer from unexplained jaw pain, difficulty opening and closing your mouth, clicking or popping when opening your mouth, headaches, or neck pain?
Some common symptoms of chronic facial pain can be a result of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The TMJ refers to the two jaw joints, one in front of each ear, that connect the lower jaw bone to the skull. The joints allow movement necessary for biting, chewing, and swallowing food, for speaking, and for making facial expressions.
Symptoms of TMJ pain include:
- Tender or sore muscles
- Problems opening or closing your mouth
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
- Locking of the jaw when opening or closing your mouth
- Headaches
- Neck, shoulder or back pain
- Swelling on the side of the face
- Ringing in the ears, ear pain, decreased hearing, dizziness or vision problems.
Possible causes or contributing factors include clenching and grinding your teeth, injury to your face or jaws, rheumatoid arthritis, genetics, and misalignment of teeth and jaws.
Diagnosis is key! At Gentle Dental Care, part of your examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping, or difficulty moving.
Treatment of TMJ / TMD can include:
- Computerized Jaw Tracking and Muscle Relaxation Techniques
- Removable or Fixed Orthopedic appliance therapy
- Crowns
- Orthodontics
