TMJ Dentistry

TMJ dentistry focuses on the temporomandibular joint. TMJ is a degenerative and chronic disease that causes a structural imbalance in your jaw and skull relationship. This poor relationship is caused by a poor bite. This causes stress and pressure on the joints and tissues which causes the jaw to twist into an unnatural tense position. You will often hear a popping or clicking sound when someone with TMJ chews. This can also affect other muscles in other parts of your body. These affected muscles can include: the face, back, neck and shoulders. This can cause headaches and also numbness to your hands.

Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ dentistry focuses on many different symptons of the TMJ disorder. The symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Facial pain
  • Pain around the jaws joints
  • Numbness in your fingers
  • Neck back or shoulder pain
  • Congestion of the ears
  • Worn or cracked teeth
  • Unexplained loose teeth
  • Pain in your teeth that tends to switch around
  • Clicking sounds in your jaw
  • Limited jaw movement

Pain varies from person to person. This can either consist of a mild pain up to a debilitation pain. You can also lose jaw function which can vary from mild jaw stiffness or only being able to open your jaw a short amount. This pain is caused due to an inflammation of the closing joints on either side of your jaw.

Causes of TMJ

TMJ disorders hardly ever have a single cause. There are many things that can cause a TMJ disorder. Some of the possible causes are: trauma, bruxism, malocclusion, emotional stress, and the way you hold your head. Trauma can cause chronic damage to the TMJ which may contribute to a TMJ disorder later in life. Bruxism is a grinding a clenching of the jaw that is most commonly done in ones sleep. This constant pressure can cause damage to the TMJ and is the most common factor found in a TMJ disorder. A malocclusion causes the jaws to not bite in harmony which causes pressure on the joints. This can either be a mild or severe factor in TMJ. Emotional stress causes both bruxism also many will subconsciously clench their teeth. This can all cause joint damage. The way you hold your head up can place strains on your TMJ for example if at work you are staring at a computer all day.

Going to a TMJ Dentist

TMJ has many different causes and after examination Dr. Graziano will determine which treatment will be best for you. He may find that splint therapy, equilibration, or night guards can correct your condition. If your disorder is severe he may refer you to a surgeon.

To determine the cause for your TMJ or see if you are a TMJ sufferer schedule an appointment for an examination from Dr. Graziano. He will determine the cause of your TMJ and discuss the best treatment methods.