Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), also called TMJ, is a neuromuscular condition that often eludes doctors and patients alike, resulting in a lifetime of debilitating pain, and progressive dental damage. When you suffer from TMD, your teeth, jaw joint, and jaw muscles do not work together in harmony the tension and pain can radiate throughout your body.

The symptoms of TMD can include migraine headaches, neck and back pain, ringing ears, and numbness in your hands. Tooth grinding is another common symptom, which can cause serious damage to your teeth, and you be grinding your teeth in your sleep without even knowing it.

When doctors are approached with these symptoms, they rarely consider an underlying dental problem. The condition typically goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and patients can spend years trying out ineffective treatments, without finding relief, sometimes leading to deep depression. TMD will get progressively worse over time, as the tension causes your jaw to be pulled further out of alignment. As your teeth are damaged, the pain can cause you to make adjustment in how you chew, making TMD even worse.

Neuromuscular dentists have the knowledge and equipment to diagnose and treat TMD effectively, relieving the pain and preventing future dental damage. The type of treatment you will need will depend on the source of the problem.