TMJ Disorder & Treatment

TMJ dysfunction is a term used to describe numerous disorders that result in disharmony of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles that position and move the jaw, and how the teeth relate to each other. The TMJ is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw in the skeleton. The TMJ is a very sophisticated. It rotates, moves forward, back, right and left. You move this joint every time you speak, bite, chew, and swallow. There are times our jaw moves and can create increased activity of the joint that are not part of our normal everyday function. Examples: tapping our teeth, clenching our teeth, grinding during awake or sleep moments. If the joint, muscles, teeth experience excessive movement, force, or stress, this can cause potential discomfort to the joint, muscles, and/or teeth. If things are not in harmony with the joint, muscles, and teeth there may be signs and symptoms that will develop such as: headaches, sensitivity, muscle tension and discomfort, and more. Most of the time we are able to conservatively treat and restore balance to the jaw, muscles, and teeth, which can  and decrease your risks associated with the signs and symptoms you demonstrate and/or experience.