Dr. Steven Cload's Dental Blog
Monday, January 11, 2010
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your face in front of your ears where they connect your jawbone to your skull. The temporomandibular joints move by pivoting and gliding which allow you to open your mouth and move your jaw from side to side.
Temporomandibular joint disorder is a term that refers to a group of disorders or conditions that involve this joint. Teeth grinding and clenching, chronic gum chewing or cradling a telephone between your shoulder and the side of your head can instigate TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). An injury or trauma from an automobile accident or a blow to the head or face can also trigger TMD/TMJ.
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder include the inability to fully open or close your mouth, difficulty swallowing, headache, facial, neck, shoulder and back pain, insomnia and depression.
Medications prescribed for these symptoms do nothing to alleviate the actual cause of these symptoms. A neuromuscular dentist is trained to recognize and treat the underlying causes and bring relief to the many sufferers of TMD/TMJ.
The treatment for TMD/TMJ may involve conservative measures such as reducing stress through physical therapy, avoiding those activities that trigger pain and discomfort such as gum chewing or wide yawning, and anti-inflammatory medications. More aggressive measures such as orthodontics and surgery are also available to the neuromuscular dentist.
If you live in Calgary, Alberta and would like to learn more about the temporomandibular joint and the part it may play in the pain you are experiencing, please contact Dr. Steven Cload at Southcentre Dental Clinic today.
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