What Is TMJ Disorder?
In this video, Dr. Charles Pearson explains what TMJ disorder is and why jaw pain, clicking, and popping are often connected to overworked chewing muscles.
TMJ disorder (or just “TMJ” for short) refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is your jaw joint. A disorder of that joint is usually anything that manifests as clicking, popping, or pain in the jaw joint.
While there are specialists who deal specifically with this, these issues generally arise from overworking the chewing muscles. The most innocuous treatment is to provide the patient with a mouth guard to wear while sleeping. This fits over your upper teeth as a flat plastic covering, allowing your jaw to relax into its most comfortable position rather than letting the teeth steer the muscles. About 80% of these problems are caused by the muscles having to contract to shift the jaw just to close all the way, which overworks the muscles.
If you or someone you love is struggling with TMJ disorder, contact St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI, for a free consultation to learn how our treatments can enhance your smile, improve your function, and restore your self-confidence.
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