The 411 on TMJ

Posted on July 17, 2020 by DentalCMO

TMJ dentist Dallas

Do you have unexplained pain or clicking sounds in your jaw? They can be signs of a TMJ disorder, which is treatable at Dr. Howard Kessner General, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in Dallas.

Some conditions with the jaw and the muscles that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). But it’s also commonly called TMJ, because that’s the acronym for the name of the joint. Technically, that’s not correct.

“Temp-or-o-man-di-what?!

Let’s consider what this means. The word temporomandibular (pronounced ‘temp-ur-o-man-di-bye-ler) is defined as ‘of, relating to, being, or affecting the joint that connects the temporal bone and the mandible.’

(We are not betting people, but if we were, we would bet that you did not foresee an anatomy lesson from your dentist.) The temporal bones are present at the sides and base of your skull, and incorporate five parts, the squama, the petrous, mastoid, tympanic parts, and styloid process. The mandible is the lower jaw, and, anatomically speaking, holds your whole face together.

What are the signs of TMD?

If you have jaw problems, either due to a crash, arthritis, misalignment of teeth or jaw, teeth grinding and clenching, poor posture, or chewing gum, you may experience:

tooth grinding or clicking
jaw pain
earaches
popping sounds in your ears
headaches
stiff or sore jaw muscles
locking of the jaw joint
pain in the temple area

Quite often, TMJ symptoms will go away on their own. Some people who experience TMD notice flare-ups when they are under a lot of stress.

TMD is an often misdiagnosed condition because facial pain can result from so many things. A correct diagnosis is the first step in treating TMD.

If you think you might have TMJ/TMD, give us a call at Dr. Howard Kessner General, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in Dallas. We’ve treated patients in Richardson, Plano, and Prestonwood, who also come to us for complete general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!