The Smile Daily

What is TMJ? It is an acronym that stands for Temporomandibular Joint. It is the joint that connects your jawbone to the temporal bones on your skull, which are located in front of each ear. Many people suffer from Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMD (which people often confuse with TMJ), which causes pain in the hinged joint itself, as well as in the muscles surrounding it that control jaw movement. TMJ disorders can affect just about anyone, but tend to be more common in women than in men, and most often affect people between the ages of 20 and 40. Sufferers experience an array of pain, ranging from slight and temporary to severe and long-lasting. The only way to diagnose your symptoms properly and devise a solution is to see your dentist. Schedule an appointment with our office today if you feel you experience some of these symptoms regularly:

• Difficulty opening your mouth wide
• Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds in your jaw when you chew, open, or close your mouth
• Pain and tenderness in your jaw joint, but also in your face, neck, shoulders, and in and around your ears, primarily when you open your mouth to chew or speak.
• Facial swelling
• Trouble lining up your teeth in your bite

There are many causes of TMD, and without an evaluation from a dentist, you might not ever know what is causing your TMJ pain. Causes contributing to this disorder include the following:

• Injury to your jaw, the joint itself, or the muscles of your head and neck
• Grinding or clenching your teeth, an action that places a lot of unnecessary strain on the sliding hinged joint
• Arthritis in the joint
• A dislocation or movement of the soft tissue between the ball and socket of the joint itself
• Stress, an outside factor that can cause you to tighten your facial and jaw muscles or clench your teeth

Treatment of TMJ dysfunction begins with a professional evaluation. Your dentist will review your dental and medical history and perform a thorough exam to identify the source of your jaw pain. This may include evaluating your bite, jaw movement, and facial muscles.

In some cases, additional imaging such as an MRI or CT scan may be recommended to determine whether the joint discs are misaligned or if another issue is affecting the temporomandibular joint.

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or difficulty chewing, it’s important to address them early. A trusted dentist in Williamsburg, VA, can help diagnose the problem and recommend the right treatment plan.

Contact us at Norge Dental Center, and we will be happy to schedule a consultation for you! You can reach us at 757-941-5290.