What is "limited range of opening"?
If you open your mouth as wide as you can, and then place the last three fingers of your hand (middle, ring, and pinky) perpendicularly (with your thumb pointing to the ceiling) between your upper and lower teeth, you have a normal range of opening, provided that you can do that without pain and strain. In general, two fingers, or less, is a limited range of opening.
Why are ear symptoms associated with TMD?
The ears are affected because of the close proximity of the ear tissues to the temporomandibular joint. It is not uncommon to find on x-ray that the condyle head of the joint is improperly positioned in the joint space such that it is in intimate contact with the tympanic bone. The consequence often is ear pain in the absence of infection, a sense of fullness, or stuffiness, in one or both ears, and sometimes ringing in the ears.
How did I get TMD?
Research has not yet determined all of the possible causes of TMD. We do know that TMD can be aggravated by trauma, certain health care procedures, oral habits, and diseases such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. TMD symptoms are known to occur without an identifiable cause, however. Grinding one's teeth (bruxism) and stress can also cause or exacerbate the symptoms of TMD.
Are there treatments for TMD?
TMD is treatable by a highly trained neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Michael Iott. After a thorough evaluation and assessment of your case, something as simple as lifestyle changes may be suggested such as change of diet, avoidance of caffeine, or smoking cessation. Oral appliances and C-Pap may also be recommended, and in severe cases, surgery may be indicated.
To learn more about TMD, please contact our neuromuscular dentists at the New York City Cosmetic Dentistry office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates. You can schedule a TMD and TMJ consultation, tour the office, meet our general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry staff, and have all of your TMJ and TMD questions answered.
What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
What is TMD?
TMD Symptoms and Treatments
