TMJ One of the most common causes of jaw pains and facial muscle discomfort is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The condition is used to describe any dysfunctions around the jaw area when your hinge joints are not properly aligned. The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone to the skull, and allows for chewing, talking or eating. The muscles around your temporomandibular joints are very fragile and full of nerve endings, and for this reason, if anything is to go wrong, it would cause severe symptoms. Whether you have symptoms of TMD yourself, you suspect it in a family member or you just want to learn more about TMD diagnosis and treatment, feel free to speak to one of our professionals here at Florida Smiles Dental to schedule a consultation. We provide first-class oral and orthodontic care! What Is TMJ And TMD?Although the two abbreviations are commonly used interchangeably, TMJ is not an illness. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects our jaws to the skull. They allow us to move our mouths, talk and chew our food. This joint is surrounded by complex body parts like joint pads, muscles, and tendons, and should any damage occur, it can lead to serious illness and symptoms like inflammation and pain. Symptoms of TMDTMD often causes severe pain and tends to come and go sporadically. Sometimes it can last for years if the condition has not been given any attention. Every case is different, but the most common symptom that you may experience is severe pain in the jaw. You may also discover a popping sound when you open and close your mouth, or terrible migraines that appear sporadically. Some other common symptoms include earaches with no signs of infection, toothaches and intense jaw pains when chewing. Swelling often occurs which makes it even more difficult to perform simple tasks. For a professional diagnosis, our experienced dental and orthodontic experts will perform a thorough examination with you and come up with the best treatment plan for you. Causes Of TMDThe most common cause of TMD is an injury to your jaws. Incidents like a heavy blow to your jaw can lead to TMD. Some other causes also include clenching your teeth when stressed or sleeping, which can put excessive pressure on your joints. Arthritis in the joints and the cushions built into the jaw joint moving out of place can also lead to TMJ problems. How Is TMD Diagnosed?Our professionals will diagnose the cause of TMD with you, using the latest technology and innovative techniques. Our doctors will most likely start with a physical exam and will ask you questions about your past health conditions. Our professionals will then go on to present to you a more accurate diagnosis, using MRI scans, X-ray, CT-Scans. TMD TreatmentIf you are experiencing mild TMD symptoms, they can improve on their own within a few days or a couple of months depending on the situation. Mild symptoms are usually treated naturally by resting, eating soft foods and using medicine to reduce the swelling and pain. For more severe cases, our professionals often suggest teeth replacement or crowns and bridges to be put in place. TMD left untreated can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, and swelling. For this reason, reach out to us today. Florida Smiles Dental is always here to help! You can contact our office at 754-354-0363 to schedule a consultation or to speak to one of our professionals. |
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