TMJ and TMD

TMJ is an acronym for Temporomandibular joint which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. Both these disorders cause pain in your jaw area. There is no cure for TMJ and TMD but diagnosis and treatment is crucial because these issues can lead to more serious oral health conditions.

Symptoms and Causes of TMJ

TMJ and TMD is caused by a few different factors, such frequent teeth clenching or grinding, which will cause stress to your TM joints. Arthritis or some other disease or injury can cause tears or misalignment in your jaw can cause TMJ or TMD. There are a variety of factors that can impact your jaw and cause you pain, clicking, stiffness in the jaw muscles, pain when yawning, neck aches, and teeth grinding, all of which are signs of TMJ or TMD.

Treatment of TMJ

There is no cure cure for TMJ or TMD, but there are treatments that can alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by these disorders. D Dr. Michael Yu Yeh will create the best treatment plan for you so you can live with TMD or TMJ with little pain and stress. Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers or steroids or suggest at home treatments like, resting your jaw, applying ice or heat and keeping your teeth apart. Your dentist may also recommend appliances such as night guards, splits or stabilizers to keep your jaw from clenching or moving and to relieve tension.

TMJ and TMD are uncomfortable disorders but they are not a lifetime sentence. The associates at Federal Way Dental Excellence center is here to provide you with treatment plans and information on how to manage TMJ and TMD.