Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMJD)

Treating TMJ Disorders

You may be surprised to hear that temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJD) affects between 5% and 12% of adults in the US.

At Branin Center for Dentistry, we have doctors specially certified by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) to treat TMJ Disorders with minimally invasive therapies that provide effective, lasting solutions for patients suffering from TMJ disorders.

Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)

A skilled dentist can uncover many underlying causes of distress just by looking inside your mouth. If we see signs that you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, it may be important to investigate the possibility of TMD. Joints, muscles, nerves, and teeth are all involved in jaw movement, and each has the potential to become misaligned, causing an uncomfortable or painful result: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. You may be surprised to find out that TMD, sometimes written as TMJD, affects between 5% and 12% of adults in the US—-that's a maximum of about 31 million Americans.

People suffering from TMD often struggle with chronic facial pain, muscle tension, frequent migraines and headaches and other symptoms caused by their teeth and jaw. TMJD can cause persistent pain, make it difficult to speak and chew, and can threaten other aspects of dental health. TMD is normally caused by a change in the jaw's alignment, grinding and clenching of the teeth, or arthritis, but can also be related to anxiety, stress, and posture. However, TMD is often the result of multiple factors working together to inflame the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding tissues. TMD symptoms occur when the joints that connect your skull with your jaw become overworked or damaged. 

Common signs of TMJD are:

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle tension in the face, neck, shoulders, and even back
  • Throbbing pain through the ear
  • Clicking or popping noises when you open and close your jaw
  • Lockjaw or loss of jaw mobility
  • Pain or difficulty chewing
  • A change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together
  • Sensitive or loose teeth 
  • Excessive or abnormal tooth wear

TMJD Condylar Degeneration

Condylar degeneration is a specific type of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, in which one or both condyle bones, the bones at the top of the lower jaw which fit into the base of the skill, break down. This can impact jaw movements, cause pain, result in facial deformities and decrease airway space. Condylar degeneration typically occurs when the ligaments attaching the disk to the condyle rupture or tear. These ligaments usually tear as a result of an injury to the jaw joints such as a compression injury, a stretch injury, or whiplash.

Common symptoms include a misaligned jaw resulting in an open bite, sensitive or loose teeth, cracked molars, jaw pain extending through the face and neck, and a crunching sound when moving the jaw. If your doctor suspects condylar degeneration, they will perform a thorough physical examination of the jaw joints. Oftentimes diagnostic imaging with MRI and CT scans are necessary to determine appropriate treatment options.

Finding Relief From Jaw Pain

At Branin Center for Dentistry, we have doctors specially certified by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) to treat TMD with minimally invasive therapies that provide effective, lasting solutions for patients suffering from TMD.

The wide range of possible symptoms is what has historically made correctly diagnosing TMD challenging. If your doctor suspects TMD might be an issue, they will perform a thorough physical examination of the area and overall chewing system, evaluating your jaw movement and noting any related tenderness or discomfort. Oftentimes they will also take diagnostic images to aid the fact-finding process. Looking at your symptoms allows us to accurately diagnose your TMJD, and create treatment options that can both help protect your teeth, and be pain-free.

At Branin Center for Dentistry, our AAFE certified doctors offer several effective therapies and TMD treatment options, including:

Our AAFE certified dentists can properly diagnose and solve TMD, along with the unpleasant or painful symptoms it creates. Let us help you resolve jaw pain. Call us today to set up an appointment.

TMJ Questionnaire