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Both TMJ and TMD are acronyms for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder – a misaligned jaw joint. If you have chronic headaches that seem like migraines, but painkillers are the only treatment you have received, you may have TMD. A neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and treat it for you. TMD Symptoms The jaw joints are in front of the ears, where the lower jaw connects to the skull. When the jaw joints are out of alignment, the head, face, neck and shoulder areas may feel pain. Each TMD case is individual and you will have your own combination of these symptoms: • Severe headaches • Teeth grinding (bruxism) • Jaw clenching • Facial pain • Ringing in your ears, or stuffiness and perhaps earaches • Neck and shoulder pain or tension • Limited jaw movement and stiffness • Popping or clicking sounds in the jaw joints when you open and close your mouth • Unexplained wear or damage on some of your teeth • Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers • Depression and perhaps sleep problems TMJ can interfere with ordinary daily activities such as chewing, swallowing, breathing and talking. It can also lead to wider health problems such as heart arrhythmias, allergies, and irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosing and Treating TMJ A trained neuromuscular dentist has the knowledge, skill and equipment to diagnose TMD. Beyond doing a thorough dental examination, a neuromuscular dentist will take measurements, record jaw muscle activity, record jaw joint sounds, and investigate jaw muscle electrical activity. Using mild electrical stimulation through electrodes on the head, face and neck, your jaw muscles can be made to relax, and that might be the first time they have relaxed in many years. The relaxed position of your jaw is its correct position. TMD treatment is targeted at making it permanent. That might entail some dental work to reposition or reshape some of the teeth, improving your bite. It might require use of a dental appliance, a custom-made device like a mouthguard, which you would wear. Each TMJ treatment is designed for the particular individual. Before it can begin, there must be an accurate diagnosis of the problem. If you suspect you might have TMD, the first step towards pain relief is to contact a qualified neuromuscular dentist for a consultation.
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