TMJ and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Introduction

Millions of people in the United States suffer from a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD is caused by the misalignment of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ).

Main Digest

TMD is caused by the misalignment of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Everyone has two of these joints located on either side of the lower jaw. The TMJ connect the lower jaw to the skull and are responsible for the full range of movement of the jaw. The TMJ let us move our jaws forward, backward, side to side, and up and down. Sometimes, the TMJ can become misaligned and make it difficult for us to properly open and close our mouths.

Much of the pain caused by TMD is due to fatigued muscles in the face. When the lower jaw is misaligned, the muscles on one side of the face overwork themselves to pull the jaw back into proper alignment each time the mouth opens and closes. The muscles on one side tend to work much harder than the other muscles and, thus, become fatigued. The muscles that are not working as hard may become weak from under use. The unbalance of fatigued and weak muscles adds to the severity of the TMD and the TMD symptoms.

The symptoms of TMD include:

• Facial pain
• Back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Teeth grinding
• Loose, cracked, or chipped teeth
• Migraine-like headaches
• Clicking or popping of the jaw
• Earaches or ringing in the ears
• Locking of the jaw
• Numbness in the fingers or arms
• Worn down or loose teeth

An LVI Trained Dentist is Best for Treating TMD

All dentists complete their foundation training in dental school. Only a few dentists continue their education by training at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). At LVI, dentists learn the latest dentistry techniques as well has how to use state-of-the-art technology to help improve the health and function of their patients' smiles.

LVI teaches dentists a field of dentistry known as neuromuscular dentistry. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on how the facial muscles, the jaws, the jaw joints, and the facial tissue work together in harmony to function without pain. Neuromuscular dentists are trained not only to treat the symptoms of TMD, but to treat the causes of TMD.

A neuromuscular dentist is the only dentist who can treat all of your symptoms of TMD and make sure that the symptoms do not resurface. A neuromuscular dentist is specifically trained to know how to find the proper alignment for each patient. No two patients have the same jaw alignment. Your neuromuscular dentist will find the proper alignment for your unique bite and develop a treatment plan specifically for you so you can live without the debilitating pain caused by TMD.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed publication titled TMJ and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) was chosen for publishing by Disabled World's editors due to its relevance to the disability community. While the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity, it was originally authored by Konig Center for Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry and published 2010/08/07 (Edit Update: 2021/08/19). For further details or clarifications, you can contact Konig Center for Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry directly at konigdds.com Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): Konig Center for Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry. (2010, August 7). TMJ and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Disabled World. Retrieved May 18, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/oral/tmj-tmd.php

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