What is TMJ?
If you want to be specific, TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, or where your jaw (the mandible) meets the temporal bone (the side of the head). This joint is located just in front of the ear and can be felt when opening and closing the mouth.
That being said, when doctors or patients referred to TMJ, they are most likely talking about some form of disorder associated with the jaw joint. This terminology of using TMJ to discuss jaw joint disorders is widely accepted and commonly used.
TMJ can manifest in a variety of ways, but the most common are the following:
- Lock jaw
- Popping and clicking
- Limited mouth opening
- Jaw pain
- Pain when chewing
- Bite changes
- Ear pain
- Headaches
What Caused My TMJ?
TMJ can be caused by a variety of things, but is most commonly associated with trauma of one form or another. Most patients will start to experience TMJ after a car accident, biting on something hard, or even after opening too wide. However, TMJ can also simply come to fruition of its own accord without trauma of any kind.
What Are My Treatment Options?
At Smiles of Sarasota, we believe in a conservative approach to the treatment of TMJ. We use oral appliances to to get the jaw into a better position that allows the jaw to heal. In this way we can prevent costly surgeries while achieving amazing results.
If you or a loved one suffers from TMJ, come in today and see how our team can help.