Your temporomandibular joints are found on either side of the jaw, just below the ear and are responsible for connecting the mandible (lower jaw) to the maxilla (upper jaw). The joint itself contains bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves; all of which can cause dysfunction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have TMD?
The following are symptoms of TMD
- Jaw pain
- Problems biting and chewing
- Pain while biting and chewing
- Tooth pain
- Facial pain
- Inability to open or close your mouth completely
- Popping or clicking noises when the mouth opens/closes
- Headaches/migraines
- Ear pain/tinnitus
To be evaluated for TMD, schedule a consultation with our office today.
How is TMD diagnosed?
TMD can be tough to diagnose since it can stem from problems with the teeth, muscles, and/or joint itself. Therefore, our office will perform a comprehensive evaluation of these structures. We also make use of advanced diagnostic technology such as:
BioEMG
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic technique that uses electrodes attached to the skin to record the electrical activity of muscle tissue. By measuring the electrical activity of a particular muscle, EMG provides information about which muscles are resting properly and which muscles are hyperactive. This information is then used to develop a treatment plan that balances muscle tone with proper bite position to reduce TMD symptoms.
Ultrasound evaluation of the joints
How is TMD treated?
At our office, we treat TMD by first determining the specific cause of the problem and then addressing the source of the problem, rather than just muting symptoms. Your individual treatment will depend on your specific diagnosis, however here are some potential treatments for TMD:
Oral Appliances
A custom-fitted oral appliance, also sometimes known as a joint stabilizing/orthotic, is fabricated from medical silicone or plastic and worn over the teeth to reposition the jaw and discourage teeth grinding. This appliance is fabricated using the diagnostic information obtained from the auscultation and palpatic evaluation and ultrasound so that the jaw is at its most optimal position.
Medication
Severe pain may be managed by prescribing muscle relaxants or antidepressants to manage painful symptoms.
Physical Therapy
Seeing a physical therapist with training in TMD may be recommended to work on upper body posture, as well as the various muscle and joint movements around the jaw joint.
Trigger Point Injections (TPI)
Saline, local anesthetics, or corticosteroids are injected into specific muscles in order to relieve painful symptoms.
Self Help
Specific custom exercises, thermal therapy, avoidance protocols.