Symptoms Of Tmj

Do you have temporomandibular joint disorder? Also known as TMD, this disorder occurs due to the misalignment of your temporomandibular joints, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. Often, patients who have TMD suffer from severe, debilitating pain as a consequence of the disorder.

The symptoms of TMD can be so wide-ranging that in many cases, general practitioners actually misdiagnose the disorder. Luckily, the doctors at the Michigan Centre for TMJ & Sleep Disorders have the training and experience to make a correct diagnosis of TMD and then provide treatment for the source of the problem, not just your symptoms.

As mentioned, pain is a symptom that is reported most frequently by TMD patients. However, this pain can manifest in a variety of ways at different locations in the body such as in the head, neck, and shoulders. When the temporomandibular joint enters a state of dysfunction, it soon affects the surrounding joints, nerves, and musculature. One of the nearby nerves is the trigeminal nerve, which transmits more sensory information to the brain than any other neural pathway—even the spinal cord itself.

This pain could manifest in the jaws, the face, or tooth pain that “migrates” seemingly at random to different locations in the mouth. The pain also may be systemic, occurring in the form of frequent headaches—which often are misdiagnosed as migraines. If a case of TMD is left untreated, it affects more and more of the musculature and nerves, eventually leading to possible pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.

Other frequently reported symptoms of TMD include:

• Hearing a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing the mouth
• Lockjaw or limited range of motion in the jaw
• Problems chewing
• Teeth grinding or clenching, which also is known as bruxism
• Enhanced sensitivity in teeth
• Pressure or stuffiness in the ears
• Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus
• Uneven tooth wear
• Teeth that become loose or shift
• Teeth that are chipped or cracked
• Speech abnormalities
• Pressure or pain emanating behind or below one eye
• Facial tension
• Ear pain without the presence of infection
• Lack of sensation, tingling, or numbness in the extremities
• Postural changes or poor posture
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Digestive problems

Do I have TMD?

Although TMD can affect patients of any age, statistics show that it occurs most often among people between the ages of 20 and 40 and that more women than men develop the disorder.

If you are experiencing any combination of the above symptoms, then you should seek the care of a neuromuscular dentist in Grand Rapids. Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialization of the field that focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw, and practitioners of the discipline are eminently qualified to diagnose TMD and treat the disorder correctly.

TMD Relief in Grand Rapids

Our doctors at the Michigan Centre for TMJ & Sleep Disorders have received education and training at some of the most renowned learning facilities in the country. Allow our doctors to use their knowledge and experience to help you obtain lasting relief from your TMD once and for all. Contact our office today at (616) 929-0892 to schedule a consultation.

The Michigan Centre for TMJ & Sleep Disorders is here to serve patients in the areas of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Big Rapids, Michigan.