TMD Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) serves as a sliding hinge between your skull and your jawbone — with one found on both sides of the jaw. Consequently, any temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are likely to cause pain, both in the muscles that facilitate jaw movement and in the jaw joints.
There are many potential causes of TMD and the root of the disorder is not always easy to determine — the primary symptom of the disorder is jaw pain, and it can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from obvious jaw injuries to arthritis or genetics.
With some individuals, the cause of the issue is grinding or clenching of teeth — though, it should be noted that many people who develop this habit never proceed to experience TMD.
Treatment Options
In a majority of TMD cases, the discomfort and pain associated with this kind of disorder are far from insolvable; it’s usually temporary, and relievable through the use of nonsurgical treatment and self-managed care.
Surgery is an option, but usually, one that dental healthcare providers won’t resort to until other milder measures haven’t produced results. In case you experience jaw pain as a symptom, you should present the problem to your dentist.
They will proceed to examine your jaw as you repeatedly close and open your mouth, while feeling, listening, and carefully observing the jaw’s range of motion. After identifying the area of discomfort, they may proceed to order dental X-rays or other types of scans to identify the problem more precisely.
While the precise treatment varies from case to case, the most important step on the way to solving TMD is to contact your dentist in the first place. And JM Dental is certainly your dentist in Etobicoke if you need family or individual dental care; we’re always welcoming new patients, and we’re more than happy to help you out as well!