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Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition in which your bite becomes misaligned causing serious and often very painful problems of the head and face area. Many times you will see the acronyms TMJ and TMD used interchangeably, but you should note that TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint itself, while TMD stands for the painful disorder that results from a problem with the TMJ. There are many symptoms associated with this very common and painful disorder:
• Limited jaw movement
• Clicking and popping noises of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Stiff or tight jaw muscles
• Facial pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Pressure in the ears
• Neck, shoulder and back pain
• Numbness and tingling in the fingers
• Difficulty swallowing
• Insomnia People who suffer with TMD often present this set of symptoms to their general doctor, however and accurate diagnosis of TMD is often missed because physicians often do not have the specialized training this difficult diagnosis requires. A neuromuscular dentist, on the other hand, does have the specialized training to not only diagnose this difficult disorder, but also to treat it. Neuromuscular dentistry is the dental specialty that treats the cause of the painful headaches that accompany a misaligned jaw. A good neuromuscular dentist will work to place your jaw in its optimal position, thereby virtually eliminating all of your symptoms. Migraine Like Headaches One of the most painful symptoms of TMD is a headache that sufferers compare to a migraine. TMD causes these powerful headaches because the trigeminal nerve is one of the most complex nerve systems in the body. This nerve is responsible for the function of the TMJ and accounts for approximately forty percent of the brain’s processing. The trigeminal nerve got its name because it has three branches, all affecting various parts of the face, head, arms and shoulders. Because of the vastness of this nerve’s processing, TMD sufferers may also have numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers. The headaches associated with TMD may be dull and constant or sharp and searing. If you have suffered with headaches for years, even decades, your solution may be found at your neuromuscular dentist’s office. TMD Treatments Fortunately for TMD sufferers, there are many treatment options available. Your dentist, after a thorough evaluation, will decide on a treatment plan based on your unique symptoms. Treatment options may include any of the following:
• Occlusal splints (also known as mouth guards or mouth pieces). These are typically worn at night, but in more severe cases daytime wear may also be necessary.
• Pain medication and/or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed
• Moist heat will help to relax your jaws sore muscles by promoting blood flow to the area
• Jaw exercises and/or physical therapy will relax your muscles and increase joint flexibility
+ • Behavioral changes such as not chewing gum, not biting your nails and avoiding crunchy foods will almost always be recommended.
• In the most extreme cases, surgery may be necessary. If you live in the Braintree, Massachusetts area and would like to learn more about TMD related headaches, please visit the website of Pinnacle Dental Aesthetics.
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