TMJ and TMD Treatment - Neuromuscular Dentist
Florida: Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach
Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD or TMJ, is a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint.
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the jaw to your head, and a healthy temporomandibular joint will allow for a wide range of motion—from side to side, front to back, and up and down.
Symptoms of TMJ / TMD
Because of the sensitivity of the joint, however, it is not uncommon for it to become misaligned, causing pain, restricted motion, and a variety of symptoms, including the following:
- Back and neck pain
- Problems with posture
- Migraine headaches
- Clicking and popping of the jaw
- Tooth grinding
- Restricted range of motion
Causes of TMJ / TMD
The temporomandibular joint is a sensitive mechanism, allowing a wide range of motion, and frequently put under a great deal of stress. Common causes of TMJ, or TMD, include misaligned teeth, such as an overbite or underbite and imbalance in the mouth, either naturally occurring or as a result of poor dental work.
Treatment for TMJ / TMD
The first step toward treatment of temporomandibular disorder is to diagnose the problem. This requires a trained neuromuscular dentistry specialist with knowledge and experience in the proper function of the temporomandibular joint.
Once TMJ / TMD has been diagnosed, the neuromuscular dentist will evaluate the extent of the disorder in order to locate and treat the cause of the misalignment. Depending on the specifics of the problem, this may involve traditional treatment to realign the teeth to a proper, well-balanced bite, or it may involve use of therapeutic devices to train the jaw to align properly, or some combination of the two.
Each TMJ or TMD case is unique, and requires the skills of a neuromuscular dentist such as Dr. Williams, who is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders.
Dr. Williams is able to provide his patients with a three-dimensional x-ray of their jaw, called a CAT scan or iCAT. Traditional x-rays are unable to provide dentists with information on all dimensions of the jaw.
For more information on TMJ treatment, TMD treatment, temporomandibular joints, or other cosmetic dentistry or neuromuscular dentistry treatments, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Williams, please email our offices or call us at:
