TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS – TMD

Do you experience any of the following:  
• Dull, chronic facial pain?  
•  Headache? Migraines? 

• Clenching of teeth? 
• Stiff jaw?
• Limited ability to open or close your mouth?  
* Pain when you talk or smile? Difficulty eating, chewing or swallowing?
• Neck, backache, and/or shoulder muscle pain? • Dizziness or vertigo? 
• Clicking, popping, grating sounds in the jaw-joint? 
• Earaches?
• Fullness, stuffiness/ringing within the ears?
• Tired or blood shot eyes??

If you have had any of these symptoms, there is a possible Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) present.  If so, treatment for it can reduce the symptoms, and increase the quality of life.  Symptoms can increase without treatment.

There is no single factor which leads to Craniofacial Pain.  However, there are five major stressors:

• Overclosed bite.
• Occulsal stress.
• Trauma.
• Tension and psychological stress.
• Compromised general health and nutritional inadequacies.


What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?


TMJ is the commonly used abbreviation for temporomandibular joint or jaw joint. There are two basic types of TMD: Myogenous (muscle generated pain) and Arthrogenous (jaw joint generated pain).

The temporomandibular joint or jaw joint in the most unique joint in the entire body. It is actually two joints in one This joint allows you to talk, chew and yawn.

A healthy TM joint has equal spacing in all areas so that nerves and blood vessels are free. When the disc, (made up of cartilage) maintains a proper position, there is no pressure placed on tissue and nerves.


The temporomandibular joints are joints located on either side of the face that connect the lower jaw to the skull. The joints work in synergy with the facial bones and multiple pairs of muscles to allow opening and closing of the mouth and the forward, backward, rotational, and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw.  For reasons that vary from patient to patient, one or both temporomandibular joints may fail to move properly. 


TMJ Clicking is a common symptom of a TMJ disorder. This clicking sound may be so loud that others can hear it while you chew. There may or may not be pain in the joint itself with the sound of a click or pop. If there is a displaced disc, then the muscles that move the jaw while chewing are more tense than normal. This tenseness can and does cause muscle, facial, head, back and neck pain.


TMJ LOCKING may be noticed  by the catching of the lower jaw as it opens. Sometimes, the person with a locked jaw joint must move the jaw to one side or another in order to open wide. Or, they might have to open until they hear and feel a loud pop, at which point, the jaw actually unlocks.


TMJ disorders can be caused by many different types of problems — including arthritis, jaw injury, or muscle fatigue from clenching or grinding your teeth.

Our Services include:
• Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
• Causes of TMD
• Diagnosis
• Treatment of TMJ / TMD 
Please call for an appointment for a complimentary consultation.  We can help you determine if your symptoms are from a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Call today, emergency appointments are always available. Don’t live another day in pain.


WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU.