Signs of TMJ/TMD

    SACRAMENTO, CA, March 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Your temporomandibular joint is responsible for all the movement in your jaw. It also plays a role in the correct alignment of your teeth. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is the name given to over a dozen different disorders that can affect the proper function of your temporomandibular joint. Symptoms of TMD may cause discomfort, but may also only be noticeable to a trained neuromuscular dentist. A neuromuscular dentist can help identify painless symptoms of TMD during your regular dental exams.

Symptoms of TMJ/TMD

TMD may be noticeable by pain or discomfort including:
- Clicking or popping in your jaw
- Lockjaw or limited jaw mobility
- Chronic headaches
- Tenderness or swelling around the jaw
- Neck and backaches

Symptoms of TMD that may go unnoticed by a general dentist include:

- Uneven wear on teeth
- Downward angled jaw
- Speech irregularities
- Facial asymmetry

When you visit a neuromuscular dentist, these painless symptoms can indicate TMD, and result in additional diagnostics to further detect this serious dental issue.

Why Treat TMD

When TMD is not painful, many patients wonder why it should be treated. Left untreated TMD can lead to painful symptoms, but can also lead to other medical disorders such as:
- Poor posture
- Malnutrition
- Sleep disorders
- Emotional disorders
- Dependence on pain relievers

Like any dental problem, TMD can have systemic consequences when left untreated. Even if your TMD is not causing initial discomfort, these problems often develop over time. When detected and treated promptly, you can avoid future dental and medical issues.

Detecting and Treating TMD

Detecting TMD may require diagnostic tools such as x-rays and MRIs. In addition, castings of your bite may be made to allow your dentist to determine if you have bite irregularities that could indicate TMD. For advanced TMD, a simple manual evaluation is often sufficient to detect TMJ disorders.

When detected, your dentist will need to determine the proper alignment of your jaw. To do this, a TENS Unit is used to allow the muscles in your jaw to relax. Once these muscles have relaxed, your dentist can properly align your jaw, and better determine what method of treatment will best suit your needs.

To treat TMD your dentist may use orthotics, ultrasound and physical rehabilitation, or anti-inflammatory medication. The method of treatment most suited to your needs is best determined by a neuromuscular dentist.

If you live in or around Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Stockton, or Modesto, California and believe you may be suffering from TMJ/TMD, please visit the website of neuromuscular dentist, David B. Miller, D.D.S. at Advanced Dental Concepts to schedule a free consultation today at http://hightechsmiles.com.

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