What is

TMJ/TMD?

What is TMJ & TMD?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a common condition involving pain, dysfunction, and facial change in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMD includes symptoms of earache, headaches, toothaches, facial pain and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw. Approximately 75% of the population has experienced signs or symptoms of TMD at one time or another, yet only 15%-20% seek medical attention.

There are a number of ways to correct dysfunction of the TMJ joint using non-surgical solutions. While the exact technique will depend on the unique factors causing your TMD, Dr. Rallis utilizes the most conservative treatments possible to improve or eliminate your symptoms and restore a well-aligned bite.

Office worker has a toothache, a sick businessman works inside the office with a laptop, a man has

What is TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)?

The temporomandibular joint is the delicate muscle responsible for jaw movement and alignment. There are two joints, one located on either side of the jaw which act as a sliding-hinge, connecting the skull to the mandible (lower jaw bone).

Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms

Many people experience chronic pain around the jaw or upper neck areas when they have problems with the jaw joint. This pain can be ongoing or come in waves, depending on the individual. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain or tenderness around the lower face
  • Joint locking
  • Muscle spasms
  • Cracking of the jaw joint
  • Difficulty chewing certain foods
  • Frequent toothaches
  • Difficulty opening the mouth wide
  • Intense headaches
  • Ear aches or ear ringing
  • Jaw clicking or jaw popping
  • Pain in the shoulder, neck, and/or back
  • Numbness in the arms or fingers
  • Dizziness

Causes

There is no singular cause of TMJ Disorder and the condition can arise for reasons unique to each patient. TMD may exist as a result of the natural anatomical structure of your jaw, or can develop due to joint overuse or trauma. Patients with arthritis, or other inflammatory conditions that can compromise the bone and joints, are at a higher risk for developing TMJ Disorder. Other possible causes include:

  • Injury to the teeth or jaw
  • Misalignment of the jaw
  • Teeth grinding habit
  • Stress
  • Chewing gum or ice
  • Jaw dislocation
top view of young man touching cheek while suffering from toothache

Teeth Grinding & TMD

Many people do not realize how damaging the effects of teeth grinding or clenching can be. If you tend to grind your teeth when you are angry or while you are sleeping, you may be wearing down the tooth structure and putting excessive pressure on the jaw joint. Over time, this can cause TMD as well as chronic pain. In these cases, we can recommend wearing a night guard and performing jaw relaxation exercises to release tension. An occlusal adjustment (bite adjustment) can also be very effective for reducing TMD symptoms.

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