Most people go their entire lives without appreciating their jaw joint or TMJ. This acronym stands for temporomandibular joint, and doctors have labelled it one of your most complex joints. The first interesting fact is that your TMJ is your only joint that is actually two joints, one on either side of your face. It also moves in all possible directions, from up and down, side to side and even forward and backwards.
This complexity explains why TMJ disorders, called TMDs for short, are one of Australia's most common orofacial disorders. So many things can throw this joint out of whack, but the causes and symptoms are pretty clear. If you wake up with headaches or a chronically sore jaw, you may suffer from a TMD. The Mount Waverley Smiles team can help you recognize your condition and, even better, how to treat it.
What Is the Main Cause of TMD?
TMD's primary factor is jaw joint inflammation. Because this joint's tolerances are so tight, even moderate swelling will cause some dysfunction. One thing behind this inflammation is the unconscious manipulation of your jaw. This may express in the form of clenching or holding your jaw tightly (posturing), and sometimes it's associated with teeth grinding, or bruxism.
Untreated TMD may have serious long-term consequences. The soft tissues in your jaw may erode, losing the ability to maintain the correct positions. This can lead to chronic and severe pain, diminished ability to chew and even sleep apnoea, where improper jaw positioning contributes to poor sleep quality, snoring and even life-threatening respiration problems.
The Symptoms A Patient with TMD Might Have
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms in Mount Waverley, it may be linked to TMD:
- Chronic and persistent headaches
- Your jaw makes a clicking sound
- Locking jaw joints
- Neck pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Earaches or a ringing sound in your ears
How We Treat TMD in Mount Waverley, VIC
When you visit our dental clinic, we will evaluate your bite and jaw using leading-edge dental imagery. Then, depending on your case, we may recommend special exercises or even a custom mouthguard to relieve grinding and clenching.
TMD Dentist Can Relieve Your Pain
Your TMJ is an amazingly balanced structure that you depend on daily for eating, speaking and numerous other vital functions. So when your jaw joint has problems, it can impact every part of your life. If you're tired of suffering from this condition and are ready for relief, we invite you to speak to a team member and set up a consultation today.
