Believe it or not, everyone has TMJ. TMJ is simply an acronym for the Temporo-Mandibular Joint, aka your jaw. When your jaw is causing pain, it is referred to by another acronym, TMD, which stands for Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction ("TMD"). The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is located right in front of both of your ears. To find it, try putting your little finger into your ear, then open and close your mouth. You should be able to feel it moving.
The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is comprised of the lower part of your face, called the mandible, which also contains your bottom row of teeth and is attached to your head with ligaments and muscles. A small disc is located between the mandible and temporal bone that contains your upper teeth. The disc is comprised of cartilage and serves a very important purpose- that of cushioning the space between the two bones. When the joint is malfunctioning, sufferers can hear a clicking, crunching or popping sound when opening and closing the mouth. This is a dysfunction of the cushioning disc.
The goal of your dentist is to
diagnose your jaw pain and suggest
treatments to alleviate it, some of which can be accomplished at home. Understanding that every patient is different and experiences TMD in their own way, your cosmetic dentist will work with you to design a treatment plan that addresses:
· pain caused by TMD
· loss of mobility in the head, face, neck and upper back
· abnormal movement behaviors related to popping, cracking, or grinding noises experienced by the patient
· frequent related headaches
· patient education you on important do’s and don’ts
· home remedies so you can help yourself
Your cosmetic dentist will no doubt work closely with your personal physician to create a comprehensive treatment program that addresses every individual factor contributing to your painful symptoms. You don’t need to suffer!
Click here to find out more about how
Dr. Michael Iott can give you the treatment and tools you need to end the pain and get back into the swing of life!
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