TMJ Disorder

The small joint that connects your jaw to your skull is known as the temporomandibular joint. When this joint starts to malfunction in any way, you may develop a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) that can cause chronic and debilitating pain. This pain can manifest as tooth pain, facial pain, or headaches of migraine-like intensity.

TMJ is estimated to affect approximately 10 million Americans, and many cases of the disorder go undiagnosed or mistreated as another ailment. This is because detecting TMJ disorder is one of the most significant challenges in medical science today. Our doctors at TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI have a certain combination of skills and training to identify a case of TMD and help find long-term relief from pain.

Causes of TMD

TMD can be caused by any condition that places an overt amount of stress on the joints, nerves, and muscles in the facial and jaw region, such as:

• Malocclusion, also known as a bad bite
• Jaw misalignment
• Missing teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Injury to the face or jaw
• Grinding and/or clenching of teeth, also referred to as bruxism

Symptoms of TMD

One of the greatest challenges to diagnosing a case of TMD successfully is the fact that the symptoms of the disorder can vary widely from case to case.

Although pain is the most frequent symptom reported from TMJ, many other frequently reported symptoms have to do with the jaw joints specifically, such as:

• Hearing clicking or popping sounds when chewing or whenever your jaw joints open and close
• Limited range of motion in the jaw, up to and including complete lockjaw
• Jaw pain, swelling and/or tenderness in the jaw joints
• Ear pain, not related to an infection
• Headaches
• Digestion issues
• Change in posture
• Ocular pressure or pain
• Generalized pain of the head, neck, shoulders or back

Any symptom associated with TMD is often a clear indicator that TMJ disorder may exist.

One of the most frequently reported symptoms of TMD is headaches, which may feel as severe as migraines, which is why TMD often is misdiagnosed. If you have been taking migraine medication without obtaining lasting relief, then TMD actually may be causing your headaches.

TMJ Relief

Our doctors at TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI are some of the best-qualified medical professionals to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder in Grand Rapids. This is because we focus on the alignment of the bite and jaw, two key components to alleviating stress on the temporomandibular joints and revolving a case of TMD.  

At TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI, we are proud that our staff includes Dr. Jerry Mulder, and Dr. Allyson Mulder, both are experts in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder and can evaluate your condition to determine whether or not TMD is the source of your pain. The idea behind treating TMD is to determine the ideal alignment of the jaw.

From there, we will construct an individualized treatment program that may include any of the following components:  

• Orthotics, such as customized oral appliances
• Tooth reshaping
• Restorative dentistry

Treatment for TMJ in Grand Rapids

If you or someone you love has TMD, then professional diagnosis and treatment by our doctors could resolve this disorder. If you have been diagnosed with TMD, think you may suffer from the disorder, or want to learn more about our TMD treatment program, 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.