TMJ

What is TMJ/TMD – Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
A persons TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) is the area where your bottom and top jaw meet below your ear, and it is the most complex joint in your body. This area can sometimes get irritated or sore due to a variety of causes and this can lead to a multitude of different symptoms. Some symptoms include headaches, facial pain, sore or broken teeth, clicking or popping in by your ear, and/or limited jaw movement. These are known as TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.

Due to the area where your TMJ is located it is involved intricately with multiple bones, muscles, and nerves. This location of your TMJ can cause it to affect many areas of your body anywhere from your head to your arms, neck, and back. Due to this a variety of symptoms may be seen, including but not limited to headaches, back pain, neck pain, and tingling in your arms or shoulders. Snoring, grinding of your teeth, ear infections, and restricted airways are also associated with TMJ disorders.

What Causes TMJ?
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders usually stems from whats called malocclusion. Malocclusion means that the way that you bite your upper and lower teeth together is not ideal, or in other words your upper and lower teeth don’t align right. Overbites and underbites are a form of malocclusion. This can be due to numerous causes such as accidents or trauma to the area. When teeth are not aligned right they do not provide the proper support for the muscles in your face that are needed for chewing and swallowing. These muscles are then strained as a result of improper positioning. This can lead to pain throughout your face, head, arms, shoulders, and back.

Who Suffers From TMJ?
Many people suffer from TMJ, often times not knowing the underlying cause of their facial pain. TMJ pain can affect men, women, and children.

How Can TMJ Be Treated?
TMJ pain can often times be treated. The main goal of treatment is to find your normal jaw position in which your muscles are most relaxed. The dentist will then work to realign the way you bite and this often times puts your jaws and TMJ in their proper position. Once the TMJ is placed in its proper position pain usually subsidies.