CARE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH TMD
Within a day you use your jaw various times. For this reason, irritation in your jaw can be a significant difficulty. In this article, we examine the condition known as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), which results in pain in your jawbone. For men and women in Clearwater, IN who have TMD, there are a variety of modern treatments that can help reduce your symptoms and determine the root cause. If you have recurrent pain in your jaw, as well as trouble opening and closing your mouth, contact DentalWorks – Clearwater to schedule a thorough oral health examination with our team of trained dental professionals. Let’s start by learning more about TMD and TMJ…
DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN TMJ AND TMD
The initials used in the article are similar, so it could get confusing. Let’s take a minute to evaluate the meaning of TMJ and TMD. Most often referred to as TMJ for short, the temporomandibular joints are the two sliding hinge joints linking your mandible (jawbone) to the rest of your skull. When one or both of these joints become inflated or cause pain, it is referred to as a temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMD. To recap, TMJ is your jaw joint, and TMD is a disorder with your TMJ.
INDICATIONS OF TMD
Symptoms of TMD can range from minor discomfort to severe pain. If you recognize side effects of TMD and discuss them with your dentist, your treatment process may be less invasive. If you recognize any of the following symptoms, arrange an appointment with your skilled dentist in Clearwater, IN as soon as possible:
CAUSES OF TMD
The cause of TMD changes from patient to patient, as there are various reasons why TMD may develop. One of the most prevalent is arthritis in or trauma to your jawbone. A misaligned bite, known as malocclusion, may also be to blame. When biting down normally, the teeth should come together and rest evenly, so the mouth can close with ease. High spots on your natural teeth or a dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture can hinder this and negatively impact how your jaw functions. Bruxism, a disorder characterized as clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth either during the day or at night (nocturnal bruxism), can create inflammation due to overworking the jaw muscles, leading to TMD. It may surprise some patients in Clearwater, IN to find out that even excessive gum chewing can result in a flare-up of TMD.
DIAGNOSING TMD
Though there is no standardized test available to diagnose TMD, the dental professionals at DentalWorks – Clearwater will perform a complete oral health examination on patients who notice jaw pain. Commonly, oral exams include an assessment of jaw movement to determine any evidence of jaw clenching, misalignment, grinding, tenderness, or inflammation. Imaging, such as full-mouth digital x-rays, could also help your dentist to properly diagnose TMD and help them to construct the appropriate course of treatment.
TMD TREATMENTS
Remedies for your TMD symptoms will be customized based on the cause of the condition and the amount of your pain. Your dentist will thoroughly diagnose your TMD before creating a treatment plan. This may include one or more professional treatments for long-term outcomes, as well as recommendations for home remedies that will result in faster, short-term relief from your TMD symptoms.
ELIMINATE YOUR TMJ PAIN
Patients in Clearwater, IN who have jaw pain or other indications of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), we invite you to contact your dentist to set up an oral health examination and consultation. At DentalWorks – Clearwater in Clearwater, IN we offer a diagnosis of TMD, as well as many treatment options. Our team of dental professionals seek to help every patient improve their oral health so they can have a bright, healthy smile they can show off without pain.
