Questions About TMD

What is TMD?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a neuromuscular condition that affects more than 10 million Americans. Your temporomandibular joints are located at the sides of your head near each ear, connecting your jawbone to your skull. These joints play an essential role in eating, speaking, and making facial expressions. TMD can develop when one or both of your temporomandibular joints stop functioning properly. This can be caused by a number of reasons, resulting in chronic ear, neck and jaw pain, stiffness and soreness in your jaw, difficulty opening your mouth and severe headaches.

 

What are the causes of TMD?

TMD can be caused by a number of factors. The most common is trauma, which can be internal such as teeth grinding and jaw clenching, or external like the impact from a motor vehicle accident or a blow to the jaw. Another leading cause of TMD is osteoarthritis. Like your body’s other joints, your jaw joint is prone to arthritic changes. Degenerative joint disease causes a slow loss of cartilage and formation of new bone at your joint’s surface. This can result in changes to your bite and subsequently, TMD pain.

 

How can I tell if I have TMD?

TMD can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often disguise themselves as other conditions. However, if you experience more than one of the below symptoms, you should make an appointment with Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Babak Firouzi:

 

  • Clicking or popping in your jaw
  • A dull ache or pain in your jaw joint
  • Unexplained headaches or migraines
  • Trouble eating or chewing
  • Tingling in your arms or hands
  • Neck, shoulder or upper back pain
  • "Lockjaw"
  • Unexplained chipped, worn  or loose teeth 

 

How can my TMD be diagnosed?

TMD symptoms are not easy to diagnose, because their symptoms often indicate other disorders. TMD actually covers more than two dozen specific jaw joint and muscle problems, ranging from the aftermath of trauma to subconscious habits like teeth grinding. A neuromuscular dentist can examine your mouth, take x-rays and review your medical history. Imaging techniques like a sonography can record your jaw sounds and help identify any irregular jaw movements. An electromyography can monitor the tension in your jaw muscle and help pinpoint the location of an imbalance.

 

What are my treatment options?

Your treatment for TMD will depend on your particular diagnosis. If your pain is caused by tooth grinding, you may be given medication to reduce inflammation and an orthotic to wear at night to prevent you from grinding. If your bite is misaligned, it can be corrected through dental restorations like crowns that change the way your teeth fit together. If crooked teeth are the cause for the misalignment, orthodontics or Invisalign may be advised to move your teeth into their correct position and alleviate your TMD pain.

 

If you are bothered by pain or discomfort in your jaw joint, or believe you may be suffering from TMD, please contact LVI-trained Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist Dr. Babak Firouzi at the Center for Exceptional Dentistry to arrange a free consultation.