What is TMJ Disorder?

There are quite a few different problems you can have with your mouth. From cavities to gum disease, there’s no shortage of issues you need to be on the lookout for. It’s rare to think about potential problems with our jaws, however.

Specifically, there’s a disorder you can develop called TMJ disorder. Let’s take a closer look at how it’s treated, what the symptoms are, and what to do if you think you have TMJ disorder.

What is it?
TMJ disorder is the abbreviation for a temporomandibular joint disorder. The TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw bone to your skull. Irritation and infection are common culprits of causing TMJ disorder, though an injury to the joint can contribute to it as well. A dentist will be able to give an official diagnosis.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of TMJ disorder include a clicking or popping in the jaw, pain that doesn’t go away, chronic headaches, and a feeling that your jaw is misaligned. You’ll want to get in to see Dr. Stephen Coker as quickly as possible if any of these symptoms suddenly arise. Delaying treatment can have bad consequences.

How is it treated?
TMJ disorder is usually something that you’ll have to deal with multiple times throughout your life. TMJ disorder can be chronic or go away on its own. That being said, there are still a ton of different treatments to choose from.

Some of those treatments include medication to reduce inflammation, jaw exercises to strengthen the TMJ, and at the most extreme, surgery to attempt to fix any problems. The team here at Parkway Dental in Cary, North Carolina, will work side-by-side with you to determine what the best treatment option is for you.

To make an appointment, or if you have more questions, call us today at 919-380-9622.