The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your jaw joint and can be the source of many painful problems. It is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the upper part of your skull. The temporomandibular joint is extremely complex and flexible allowing movement both up and down and side to side. This allows us to talk, chew and yawn with a wide range of motion. The muscles surrounding the joint control the movement and position of the jaw.
A temporomandibular joint disorder is a problem with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and these disorders are best treated by someone with specialized training in the field of neuromuscular dentistry. Symptoms of TMJ problems include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, neck or shoulders
- Limited range of opening the mouth
- Clicking or popping noises in the jaw
- Difficulty or discomfort chewing
- Headaches or migraines
- Swelling in the jaw area
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears or a feeling of “fullness” in the ears
- Ear aches
- Toothaches
With so many varied symptoms it is not unusual for patients to visit many different specialists and undergo many tests before finally being diagnosed correctly.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above you may be suffering from TMJ. As a Beverly Hills neuromuscular dentist I can perform a clinical examination to determine whether or not your jaw joint is the cause of your symptoms. Treatment options for TMD will vary by patient depending upon the severity of the problem and the underlying cause.
TMJ problems do not typically “go away” and putting off treatment may only make the problem worse. Please schedule a consultation today by contacting Beverly Hills neuromuscular dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537.
