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Signs & Symptoms of TMJ

Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

At Beyond Dental & Implant Center we provide solutions for TMJ/TMD disorders. Our dedicated dental staff and doctors are always here to help you. Please contact us for more information, or simply book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 13655 Preston Rd Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75240.

Sign & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Near Me in Dallas, TX
Sign & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Near Me in Dallas, TX

What is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint and muscles that move the lower jaw. Any problems that prevent you from properly using your TMJ are referred to as TMD or temporomandibular disorders. Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from some form of TMD. TMD can be a debilitating disorder that entails widespread pain and dysfunction in your ability to properly chew, speak, and use your jaw.

Who can be affected by TMJ disorders?

Unfortunately, anyone may experience issues with their TMJ. However, the severity of the disorder varies due to factors, such as age, environment, and sex. Women between the ages of 19-40 are most affected by TMD. Recent studies have shown that 70 to 75% of all those suffering from TMD are females under the age of 40.

Signs and symptoms of TMD:

Before we can treat your TMD, we must first identify the signs and symptoms. While signs and symptoms may vary, the most common ones include:

  • Headaches
  • Clenching or teeth grinding at night (bruxism)
  • Pain or stiffness in the jaw
  • Clicking or popping sounds when you use your jaw
  • Limited mobility of the jaw
  • Lock jaw
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Pain or pressure behind the eyes
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Soreness of the throat
  • Numbness or tingling of the arms and hands
  • Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
  • Changes in your bite (malocclusions)
  • Vertigo or loss of balance
  • Facial, shoulder, neck, or back pain
  • Sensitivity issues with your teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or eating
  • Problems with posture
  • Sleep apnea or excessive snoring

Signs & Symptoms of TMJ/TMD

Sign & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Near Me in Dallas, TX

Sign & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Near Me in Dallas, TX
Sign & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Near Me in Dallas, TX

What causes TMJ?

Structural imbalance

A structural imbalance is another way of referring to a bad bite, or malocclusion. When your upper and lower teeth do not close together properly, it puts strains on the muscles in the face, jaw, and neck. A structural imbalance can also be the result of a missing tooth or poorly-fit filling or crown.

Emotional imbalances

Emotional imbalances that cause TMD include stress, anxiety, frustration, anger, fatigue, depression, and sadness. These emotional imbalances often involve excessive bruxism, or teeth grinding. It may also lead to poor oral health habits like biting your nails or chewing on pen caps. Other habits like poor posture, eating chewy foods, yawning with your mouth wide open, and even chewing gum may also aggravate your TMJ.

Biochemical imbalances

Biochemical imbalances are the result of certain foods, vitamins, and minerals. Tension in the jaw can be the result of a hormonal response to drinks like coffee, tea, alcohol, and other caffeinated products.

What happens if TMD is left untreated?

TMJ disorders progress slowly and often go unnoticed at first. Our body has the amazing ability to learn, accommodate, compensate, and tolerate certain conditions such as TMD. For this reason, many patients walk around with signs and symptoms of TMD without realizing it. No one has taken the time to educate them or explain to them what is happening with their body. At Beyond Dental and Implant Center, we take the time. If TMD is left untreated, symptoms may worsen. Our goal is to correct your TMJ before your condition leads to severe pain or discomfort.

Advanced treatment options for TMD?

We offer advanced treatment options for TMD that other dental offices simply don’t. Our neuromuscular approach to TMJ addresses the disharmony with your jaw joint, bite, muscles, and skeletal system. During an initial consultation, Dr. Cory Nguyen will perform a comprehensive examination to determine whether or not you are suffering from TMD. Once we determine the source of your TMJ pain, we can customize the best course of treatment to provide immediate and long-term relief.

Treatment for long-term relief of complex cases of TMD is often broken up into two phases.

During the first phase of treatment, we may suggest a TMJ orthotic. An orthotic appliance fits over your lower teeth, and slowly adjusts your bite toward a more stable position. We may also suggest a visit with your general physician to rule out other medical conditions. Self-care during TMJ treatment, such as resting your jaw, keeping your teeth apart when not in use, engaging in breathing and relaxation exercises, and avoiding hard or sticky foods, can also relieve symptoms. Once we see signs of symptom relief, we move forward with phase two of treatment.

Phase two of long-term treatment may involve neuromuscular orthodontics. Neuromuscular orthodontics is used to keep your teeth in the correct position established by your orthotic. Another component of phase two includes coroplast/equilibrium, which is the selective grinding and reshaping of your teeth to correct the bite. We may also suggest permanent orthotics and full or single arch reconstruction using crowns or on lays that provide structural support. For extreme cases of TMD, orthognathic jaw surgery may be necessary. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Plano TX, Addison TX, Garland TX, Richardson TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!

What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?