Advanced Cosmetic and General Dentistry Blog

Studio City, Valley Village, Burbank, North Hollywood

Thursday, March 4, 2010

TMJ Pain

The Temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD can occur for several reasons. Some examples include grinding or clenching of the teeth, the disc between the ball and socket becomes dislocated, arthritis in the TMJ, or if you do not have an ideal bite in which the teeth meet properly. Some common symptoms of TMD are; pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, an inability to open the mouth very wide, jaw gets stuck or locked in one position, clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth, sleep deprivation, pain in or around the ear, neck or shoulders when chewing or speaking, and pain or discomfort when chewing.

There are several other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including sinus problems, gum disease, toothache and migraines. There are different ways to treat the disorder, your dentist can often make a dental appliance that will help support your jaw without the need to use your jaw muscles. It’s very important to get a proper diagnosis from a dental healthcare professional so you’ll know if you’re suffering from TMD or not and then be treated properly. If you or someone you know is suffering from some of these symptoms, be sure to call Smiles By Sands at 818-766-6121 to set up a consultation.

posted by Judith M. at 12:43 PM

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