What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?

    ATLANTA, GA, October 24, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a painful neuromuscular disorder, involving a misaligned bite (malocclusion) that can have debilitating symptoms affecting your entire body. While some of the symptoms involve the jaw and mouth, many people with TMD suffer years of chronic pain with no idea that the source is dental-related.

TMD occurs when your teeth, jaw joints, and jaw muscles are out of alignment. The muscles and nerves of the jaw work together with the nerves and muscles of the face, head, neck, and shoulders. When the nerves, muscles, and joints in your mouth are not working in harmony it causes a chain reaction of tension and pain that can spread throughout your face, head, neck, shoulders and back. It is common for people with TMD to seek the help of doctors who never make the connection, pursuing endless remedies in vain. A neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and treat TMD, often bringing relief from pain and discomfort in your first visit.

Symptoms of TMD

• Sore jaw muscles
• Jaw popping/clicking
• Difficulty in opening the mouth fully
• Locking of the jaw
• Hot and cold sensitivity
• Tooth loss
• Ear pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Earaches
• Temple/cheek pain
• Facial paina
• Facial edema
• Frequent head/neck aches
• Difficulty swallowing
• Speech abnormalities
• Abnormal lip posture
• Dizziness
• Vision disturbances
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Posture problems
• Depression

TMD causes

TMD can be caused by personal habits, improper chewing often caused by dental pain, or can be triggered by trauma such as an auto accident. In some cases the cause is never known. Often when a sore tooth is left untreated or if dental restorations do not fit precisely, you will unconsciously make adjustment to how you chew, causing tension in your jaw, and developing problems over time.

TMD treatment

The extensiveness of TMD treatment is greatly determined by the underlying problem. The goal is to relieve the muscle tension causing the pain. Treatments can be as simple jaw exercises which you can learn to do at home, along with moist heat, and sometimes muscle relaxers. Tooth grinders often benefit from nightguards, which are custom created for your mouth and prevent you from grinding your teeth in your sleep. For long term TMD, where you bite has become misaligned (malocclusion) oral appliances can be used to bring your bite back into alignment. Extreme cases can be treated surgically.

TMD is a serious problem that can cause chronic pain and severe damage to your teeth. Fortunately, a neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and treat TMD, relieving your pain and protecting your teeth from future damage.

Find relief from the symptoms of TMD/TMJ with state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment from Art of the Smile. Contact Art of the Smile in Atlanta, Georgia today for your personalized jaw joint consultation.

Source: Art of the Smile
Website: http://www.artofthesmile.com

# # #