“TMJ” is an acronym for temporomandibular joint, more commonly know as the jaw joint. The temporomandibular joints are the joints in front of the ears attaching the lower jaw to the skull. They are essential to daily jaw functions such as opening and closing your mouth, chewing and speaking.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders refer to conditions, manifested by pain in the area of the jaw and jaw muscles and limitations in the ability of the jaw to operate normally while speaking, eating, and swallowing.The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health states that 10.8 million people in the USA suffer from TMJ problems. 90% of those seeking treatment for TMJ are women during their childbearing years.
TMJ Disorder Causes
Medical research has not yet defined all the causes of the various TMJ disorders. Some patients report having TMJ symptoms following trauma, dental treatment and traffic accidents or following the adoption of habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth. Arthritis in other parts of the body is sometimes linked to TMJ pain.
TMJ Disorder Symptoms
Some symptoms may relate to your bite and can successfully be treated by our dentists in Mooresville NC, who have special education in managing these disorders. Other symptoms include:
— Noisy, clicking, rubbing, painful joints
— Ear pain, congestion
— Vertigo
— Frequent or long lasting headaches
— Head, neck or shoulder pain
— Lockjaw or uncomfortable bite
— Facial swelling or pain in the face
— Restricted ability or complete inability to open the mouth without pain
TMJ Disorder Treatments
At present, there are more than 50 treatments in use ranging from very conservative, reversible therapies to more aggressive, invasive approaches.
Contact our Mooresville dental practice today if you are experiencing discomfort in your jaw/jaw line, having long lasting headaches, neckaches or any other TMJ Disorder symptom listed above!
