Questions about TMJ
Serving the Hannibal, Missouri area
What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. It is the only joint in the body that must work in tandem with its partner on the other side of the body. If one side is misaligned, it puts stress on the other side, leading to various levels of discomfort.
What is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is best described as a series of disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint. If left untreated, mild TMD can eventually turn into chronic TMD, which is more difficult to treat.
What are the signs and symptoms of TMD?
There are many signs and symptoms of TMD. According to the National Pain Foundation, most people experience one or more of these common signs and symptoms, including:
- Frequent headaches
- Jaw pain
- Ear ringing
- Ear congestion
- Ear pain
- Dizziness
- Popping or clicking noises in the jaw
If you suffer from one or more of these, it is important to find out if the problem is due to TMD or some other more serious problem.
What Causes TMD?
When diagnosing and treating TMD, it is important to discover the underlying cause so that Hannibal neuromuscular dentist Dr. Charles Janes can treat it effectively. There are many possible causes of TMD, including:
- Trauma to the mouth or jaw
- Malocclusion or misalignment of your jaw
- Arthritis or other degenerative disease
- Tooth grinding
How is TMD Treated?
Since there are many possible factors that lead to TMD, there are many possible treatments. Treatments are performed in a succession of from more conservative treatments to extreme treatments. The progression of treatments may include:
- Altering eating habits
- Jaw exercises
- Correcting head and neck positions
- TENS therapy
- Customized mouth guards
- Orthodontia
- Surgery
If the more conservative treatments work, there is no need to proceed to more radical and expensive solutions.
What is a Neuromuscular Dentist?
Rather than focusing solely on tooth decay and gum disease, a neuromuscular dentist manages dental problems related to the mechanical activities of the jaw that result in secondary dental problems. Some of the common problems that neuromuscular dentists address include:
- Bruxism, which is unconscious tooth grinding
- TMD
- Other mechanical problems of the jaw
To find out more about treatment options for TMJ disorders, please contact our Hannibal neuromuscular dentistry office today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Charles Janes serves patients in Hannibal, Missouri and the surrounding area.
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
