TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint.
It connects the jawbone to the skull on both sides of the face. This joint enables you to open and close your mouth, eat, and speak. It’s also responsible for the side-to-side movement of the lower jaw.
When you touch the area in front of your ear, below your cheekbone, you’re touching the TMJ. Try to open and close your mouth and you’ll feel it moving too. If you hear a popping or clicking sound, that could be a sign of a TMJ issue.
Any problem that involves the TMJ - the joint, muscles, and ligaments in the system - is called a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
TMD Symptoms
Aside from the clicking sound, here are other symptoms of a TMD:
- Pain in the jaw joints
- Pain that reaches your ear
- Ear congestion
- Pain in your face
- Pain in your neck and back
- Chewing difficulties
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Headaches
TMD symptoms are usually mild and subside on their own. However, some people also experience chronic pain in the TMJ area and this can affect their daily living and well-being.
If your jaw joints are bothering you, call our dental office at
TMD Causes
- Muscle tension triggered by stress
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Injured joint and tissues
- Arthritis and other joint diseases
- A damaged or shifted disc that cushions the joint
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Certain habits, such as biting down on hard objects
It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of TMD. You may have to coordinate with a team of health professionals to receive various treatments and eliminate TMJ symptoms.
Learn more about TMD Today
The TMJ is a complex system that can be difficult to understand. You probably are confused about where and how to begin treatment.
Our Lethbridge dental office welcomes TMJ patients. We recommend scheduling an initial consultation with Dr. Lachman to learn more.
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