TMJ Treatment with Your Financial District Dentist

TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction), refers to a chronic, degenerative condition of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the skull to the mandible, or jaw.  This painful condition can easily be treated by Dr. Lloyd Becker at Maiden Lane Dental.

Common Symptoms of TMJ:

Clicking is common, but pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscle is the most common indicator.  Earaches, headaches, migraines, hearing loss and neck pain are also common symptoms.

Causes of TMJ:

Repetitive, unconscious clenching or grinding teeth, trauma, malalignment of teeth due to crowns, jaw thrusting, excessive gum chewing or nail biting, lack of an overbite and degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis can cause TMJ.  Disorders of the teeth can also contribute to TMJ.  The most common cause is the way the teeth meet together, which may be altered after the wisdom teeth are extracted.

Treatment:

It is best to treat TMJ when it is in early stages.  See Dr. Becker if you are in severe pain or if the pain does not go away.  First, he will determine the optimal position of the jaw by measuring the relaxed position of the head and neck muscles, and then reposition the jaw to achieve exact measurements.  Treatment options include adjusting the bite, orthotics, orthodontics, or restoring the teeth to their correct positions.  The point is to correct the bite and realign the jaw, which relieves the pain associated with TMJ.