Facts about TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorder, usually called TMD by medical professionals, is a problem associated with the joints connecting the lower jaw to the face. It has an exceptionally wide range of potential causes that are inconsistent. Likewise, the symptoms can be hard to pin down with any particular description. Nevertheless, here are some of the commonly seen details of this problem.

POTENTIAL CAUSES

• Bite irregularities: Because the body is so adaptable, this could be caused by something as simple as a filling or crown that was not shaped properly. The jaw corrects for the unnatural feeling without you even noticing it until symptoms appear in the joint.

• Clenching the jaw and grinding of the teeth: These can be done in their sleep or while they are not consciously thinking about them during the day. However, many patients that do these things present no TMJ problems.

• Arthritis

• Jaw injury or trauma

POTENTIAL SYMPTOMS

• Pain and tenderness of the lower jaw or the joint.

• Pain and discomfort around the ear.

• Generalized or specific facial pain.

• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing.

• Clicking or grinding sounds when you chew or yawn.

• Locking of the joint, causing problems opening or closing the jaw.

Not all of these situations require medical intervention by a doctor or dentist, however. Generally speaking, if there is no pain or problems opening and closing the mouth, medical steps may not be needed. However, it is always a good idea to discuss the matter with a dentist, as these facial structures are their specialty.

Contact our TMJ dentist in North Hollywood to learn more about this common problem.