Hello, friends! Our team is on standby to help you with more than just your orthodontic treatment. As orthodontists, we can also help you with TMD and your TMJ problems.
Have you been feeling pain that radiates from your jaw up your head or down your neck? Does your jaw lock when you try to open it? You may require TMJ/TMD Treatment and our team is here to help you.
You may already know this thanks to your many internet searches on the subject, but in case you don’t already know it, TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. That’s a small piece that links our lower and upper jaws and is responsible for most movements and actions we associate with our jaws.
TMD, on the other hand, stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. This is why most patients require help from a professional and exactly why we can help you at Smile Health Orthodontics.
WHAT IS TMD TREATMENT?
Unfortunately, there are no general treatment options we can give out to everyone. Dr. Solomon and her team work closely with every patient to study their background and any additional conditions that could hold a close relationship with their TMD problems to determine what is the best treatment possible.
Generally speaking, the medical community hasn’t been able to determine the exact cause or causes of TMD. We have observed some undeniable relationships between excessive stress and other physiological conditions with the development of TMD.
We’ll have to ask you to come for an initial consultation where we will get a better feel of what your lifestyle involves and any other clinical information that we need to develop a treatment plan.
SYMPTOMS OF TMD
Most cases of patients with TMD require care that focuses only on their symptoms. Come to our dental practice in Beverly Hills if you notice any of the following:
- Jaw pain.
- Headaches.
- Pain in the neck or shoulders.
- Jaws that “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position.
- Jaws that “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position.
- Popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Swelling on the side of your face.
- Tooth pain.
WILL YOU REQUIRE SURGERY?
Only severe cases of TMD require surgery. Please consult with a specialist like our own Dr. Solomon. The team will make any necessary arrangements to help you receive the treatment you need.
Only after we’ve exhausted any other available treatments should you consider an invasive surgery as the potential solution. Granted, we will help you examine your circumstances thoroughly with the help of qualified specialists.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are two different things that are closely related to each other. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is a little joint connecting both our jaws, and we all have those. TMD, however, stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, which is a problem with your joint that prevents free movement and results in varying degrees of pain.
Some can point out stress and jaw malocclusions. Unfortunately, the scientific community hasn’t determined the exact cause of TMD in patients and some of the associated risk factors also become mixed with the symptoms most people use to identify the disorder.
Patients who have a TMJ disorder or TMD will notice a persisting clicking or popping of their jaws when they chew or open their mouths. Similarly, you might notice the locking of your jaws when you yawn. Other patients might notice muscle spasms or radiating pain around their jaws.
Not all cases of TMD require surgery. You should consult with your orthodontist to determine what are some of the resources available for you and your required treatment. If you need surgery, Dr. Solomon will coordinate with a qualified oral surgeon to provide you with the required care.
Unfortunately, these symptoms start small, and you might confuse them with any number of problems. Your orthodontist will require additional examinations and gather a full record of your medical history to determine if your headaches are indeed related to a developing case of TMD.
