TMJ Disorder

TMJ DISORDER IN Palatine, IL

A very common misconception is that TMD and TMJ are the very same thing. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular joint, which is actually the joint that links your lower jaw to your skull in front of your ear. In between your skull and your lower jaw and in front of your ear, a piece of cartilage, a disc, is present which helps the joint to move easily. Muscles fixed to and surrounding the joint in fact, control the position of your lower jaw. It is pretty common that disorders of the TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) are improperly termed TMJ; instead, they must be called TMD (Temporomandibular disorder).

The causes of TMD

  • Injury to the jaw, the TMJ (joint)
  • Injury to the muscles of the head and neck. The reason why you frequently feel neck pain and/or headaches
  • Grinding or clenching your teeth inserting pressure on the TMJ (joint)
  • There is arthritis present in the TMJ
  • Stress that leads you to tighten your face and jaw muscles or even clench your teeth
  • The soft disc in between your jaw joint and your skull is dislocated

Symptoms of TMD

  • Facial pain
  • Very limited ability to open the mouth
  • Triggered headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Tired/sore jaw in the morning
  • The jaw gets stuck or locked in place
  • Swelling
  • Difficulty in chewing, eating, or even talking
  • Uncomfortable bite
  • Toothache (the TMD pain makes it feel like a toothache)
  • Earache

Diagnosing TMD:

We will start with taking a detailed health record reviewing for any medications, injuries, traumas, or procedures, or conditions that could contribute to your TMD symptoms. We will also physically check your mouth, face, joints, muscles, and head and neck areas to detect any pain and tenderness. Any restricted motion or locking of the jaw or joint noises will also be examined. At times, an X-ray is also required. All of these will help us evaluate how serious your TMD is and how much it is affecting your daily life.

Treating the TMD:

We make a digital scan to design tailor-made fitted mouth guards. These tools minimize damage to your teeth from clenching or grinding or sports-associated injuries. It is even commonly used in solving snoring or sleep apnea issues.
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BOTOX

BOTOX® is used by the dentist as an alternative approach for TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorders. It also helps to reduce jaw tension and pain which are related to TMJ. When BOTOX® is injected into facial muscles affected with soreness and also discomfort, BOTOX® relieves TMJ and jaw pain for numerous individuals.

BOTOX: Broadening the Horizon of Dentistry
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4316364/

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