Causes of TMJ/TMD
Serving Hannibal and St. Louis, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois areas
According to the National Pain Foundation, approximately 75 percent of the population suffers from one or more symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Most people manage transient pain themselves, but many end up seeking the help of a qualified neuromuscular dentist for diagnosis and treatment.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex system where powerful and frequently used muscles, facial nerves, and vessels all come together. Because of the complexity of the joint, there are many possible causes of TMJ/TMD. This disorder is best described as a collection of dysfunctions. The job of Missouri neuromuscular dentist Dr. Charles Janes is to determine the underlying cause of TMJ/TMD in order to treat it effectively.
Causes of TMD
There are numerous factors that may cause TMD that is severe enough to make you seek treatment, including:
- Trauma — This is the most common cause and is attributed to any sort of physical damage of the jaw.
- Malocclusion — If you are missing teeth, or basically have a bite that is not in proper alignment, it can put stress on the TMJ.
- Bruxism — Tooth grinding, especially while sleeping, is a common cause.
- Arthritis or other disease processes — It is imperative to rule out more severe problems as the cause in order to obtain adequate treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ/TMD
The signs and symptoms of TMJ/TMD include:
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping noises of the jaw
- Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears
- Frequent headaches
- Lockjaw
According to the National Pain Foundation, most people suffer multiple symptoms, which when left untreated, may develop into chronic TMJ/TMD
Treating TMJ/TMD
Once Dr. Janes diagnoses and identifies the underlying cause of your TMJ/TMD, he is able to put together a comprehensive treatment plan. Depending on specific needs, he may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- TENS electric impulse therapy
- A custom made mouth guard
- Orthodontics
- Dental implants
- Surgery
Obviously, when dealing with TMJ/TMD, your primary goal is to eliminate the pain and discomfort. In order to do that, Dr. Janes must first identify and treat the underlying cause. Do not delay scheduling an initial consultation to ensure that your pain is not a sign of a serious underlying condition.
Please contact our Quincy, Illinois neuromuscular dentistry office today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Janes serves patients in Hannibal, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois areas.
Charles W. Janes, D.D.S.
Functional Cosmetic Dentistry & Full Mouth Rehabilitation
"Designing Smiles, Enhancing Life"
501 Clinic Rd., Hannibal, Missouri 63401
573.221.3360
