Getting to Know Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
(Part 1)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is somehow like a sliding hinge that is connecting your jawbone to your skull.
Humans have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ problems — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — which may produce pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles which control the movements of the jaw.
Experts still have no exact idea what causes TMJ.
The pain may be caused by a number of factors ranging from genetics, arthritis or jaw injury.
There are people who may experience jaw pain who have the tendency to clench or grind their teeth, known as bruxism.
However, there are a lot of people who habitually clench or grind their teeth but don’t develop TMJ problems.
The reality is that the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ problems, more often, is temporary and can be addressed with non-surgical procedures and other types of treatment.
In some cases, surgery may end up as the last option after all the non-invasive treatments are already exhausted.
At this point, we will be starting a new series discussing the symptoms and treatment generally used to help people get relief from TMJ.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be having a comprehensive discussion over the nature of TMJ, and how your dentist can help.