TMJ FAQ's
In Lansing, Ann Arbor and Brighton, Michigan

How do I know if I have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?

The symptoms of TMD (often referred to as TMJ, which actually stands for temporomandibular joint) can vary significantly from one person to the next. Some of the most common symptoms include:

A jaw joint can actually affect the ears and neck/shoulder area?

Yes, the jaw joint can affect much more than the jaw area. Although the joint itself is small, it is essential to many interrelated functions such as speaking, eating, and facial expressions. It is also interconnected with the musculoskeletel function as a whole. Because of this, a malfunction of your jaw joint can cause problems such as aches and pains in other areas of your body as well including all of the areas mentioned above.

How did I get this painful condition?

Research has not yet determined all the possible causes of TMD. We do know that TMD can be caused or aggravated by trauma.

Etiology

In addition, as with any joint injury, a circumstance of any kind which forces the joint beyond its intended limit of motion will cause the joint injury.

If I don’t get treatment now, will it eventually just go away?

TMJ issues do not differ from injuries to other joints. They are never "cured". They can, however, be returned to function with treatment and do not need to include life altering chronic pain.

How common is this condition?

Approximately ten million people in the United States have TMD at any given time, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, with most of the sufferers being young females. Many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with migraine headaches.

Epidemology

There is great variety in estimates of the number of people with this condition. If you discuss the number of people suffering pain and dysfunction the estimates may reach 10 million. If you consider how many joints may have both functional injuries and non-functional injuries then it could be much larger. As with most joint injuries women will be 10 times more likely to incur them.

Treatment

There is a wide variety of treatment philosophies. All have engaged some level of success and failure. Many focus on symptom relief, muscle relaxation, life style changes, multiple medications, counseling, etc. Our office focuses on restoring joint function with intra-oral orthotic use and restoring bio mechanical function prior to considering secondary methods which may not be required after restoring the physical function in the area.

If you would like to learn more about this very painful condition of the jaw, please contact the highly trained neuromuscular dentists at Healthy Dental Solutions today to schedule your initial appointment.

" The dental procedures we specialize in enhance our
patients' look and their quality of life! "

If you are located in the Lansing, Michigan area and believe you may be in need of one of the surgical procedures we offer, contact our office as soon as possible. We can see you for an emergency appointment and get you the treatment you need as quickly as possible.