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Questions About TMJ

Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Oakleaf, Orange Park

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD), is misalignment in the jaw joints or perhaps just on one side. It can cause chronic headaches, many other symptoms, and damage to your teeth and dental restorations.

What causes TMJ disorder?

The jaw joints are delicate and can be quickly knocked out of alignment or slowly pushed out of alignment. The most frequent cause is misaligned teeth that cause strain in the jaw muscles as they try to move the jaw correctly but cannot..

Some other causes are:

Oral habits such as wide yawning, nail biting, or chewing ice
Poor posture over a long period
Trauma from an auto accident, sports injury, or any kind of blow to the head or neck
Trauma to the jaw during health care procedures including intubation during surgery and some dental procedures
Dental pain or discomfort that causes you to change how you use your jaw muscles
Poorly fitting dental restorations

How is TMJ disorder diagnosed?

Accurate diagnosis requires X-rays, jaw measurements, documentation of jaw movement and jaw joint sounds, and a determination of where the jaw’s correct position is.

Is there a cure for TMJ disorder?

Yes, TMJ disorder can be successfully treated, putting an end to chronic pain and ongoing dental deterioration. After the correct jaw position is determined, it must be made permanent through whatever means are best in each case. It may be dental work to reshape or reposition teeth; use of an oral appliance to re-train the jaw muscles and/or prevent tooth grinding during sleep; and perhaps non-dental treatments such as physical therapy. Each case of TMJ disorder is individual and treatment is customized.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder can cause symptoms that do not appear to be related to dental problems at all:

Migraine-like headaches
Ringing in the ears
Earaches
Facial pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Premature wear and tear on the teeth
Gum problems
Limited jaw movement
Locking or stiffness of the jaw movement

If you have more questions about TMJ disorder or if you are frustrated over chronic headaches that appear to be migraines, please contact our Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville, Florida area office today to schedule your neuromuscular dentistry consultation.