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What is Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)?
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the temporal bone (side and base of the skull) and the mandible (lower jaw). Mastication (chewing) muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your jaw forward, sideways, and open and close.
The joint works properly when the lower jaw and its joint (both the right and left) are synchronized during movement. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder?
TMD describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men and is the most common non-dental related chronic orofacial pain.
What causes TMD?
Normal function for this muscle group includes chewing, swallowing, speech and communication. Most experts suggest that certain tasks, either mental or physical, cause or aggravate TMD, such as strenuous physical tasks or stressful situations. Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism).
These excessive habits tire the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort, such as headaches or neck pain. Additionally, abnormal function can lead to worn or sensitive teeth, traumatized soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort when eating, and temporal (side) headaches.
What TMD symptoms can I experience?
- An earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
- Clicking when opening and closing your mouth
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn or eat
- Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found
What can I do to treat TMD?
The majority of cases can be treated by unloading (resting) the joint, taking a nonaspirin pain reliever and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. It's important to break bad habits to ease the symptoms. Most treatment for TMD is simple, often can be done at home, and does not need surgery. For example, control clenching or grinding during the day by sticking your tongue between your teeth. If you still experience pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. So see your dentist for a nighttime mouthguard.
Most people will experience relief with minor treatment. More severe cases may be treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, posture training and orthopedic appliance therapy (splint). Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum also help relax the muscles.
Is TMD permanent?
The condition is often cyclical and may recur during times of stress, good or bad. As the patient, you should be active in your treatment, by being aware of the causes of your jaw problems after seeing a dentist for a diagnosis regime. Make routine dental appointments, so your doctor can check TMD on a regular basis.
Anaesthesia & Oral Sedation
As an adjunct to the stress free atmosphere of our office, we also offer sedation dentistry for any patient who suffers from dental anxiety or has a phobia.
Whether you are afraid of the needle, the sound of the drill incites terror or you just feel that dentistry is too painful, many consider this option to have their dental needs met. Sedation dentistry has been used safely in millions of dental procedures. Any procedure can be completed while you are sedated and most people choose to take care of everything in as little as two appointments. Many times it is as simple as just taking a pill prior to your appointment. If you have been hiding your smile, putting up with pain, or putting off going to the dentist because of dental phobia, it's time to make a positive change in your life. Take care of yourself first, make the call and enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth and smile.
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Patient Information Form. If this is your first visit with us, print this form at home and fill it out ahead of time, that way when you come in you won't have to fill out a bunch of forms!
Missed & Cancelled Appointments
If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify us at least two business days in advance. This will allow us to schedule other patients awaiting treatment. If less than two business days notice is given, a $100 fee will be assessed to your account and is payable prior to or at your next appointment.
Payment Options
We expect payment in full at the time of treatment. For your convenience, we offer several payment options:
- Cash
- Debit Card
- Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
- Medicard (a third party financing company with 0% financing options. The dental office--in this case us--absorbs any interest costs)
Insurance
We will work with your insurance company to determine your estimated co-payment amount for your treatment plan before treatment even begins so there will be no big surprises. We will be happy to process your insurance claim so you pay only an estimated co-payment at the time of treatment. Learn more about how insurance works.
Please bring your insurance information with you on your first visit.
