What is TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your cranium (skull), allowing you to chew and talk.
TMJ disorder is caused when this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, resulting in severe pain, which can lead to complicated health conditions. This can also occur due to the articular disc becoming dislocated, thus restricting the jaw from proper movement.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorders result when the jaw is misaligned. This can be caused by:
Trauma to the mouth, fatigue of surrounding muscles, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, damage to the bone cartilage around the joint, Osteo or Rheumatoid arthritis, genetics, poor dental work and teeth clenching during sleep
Do orthotics help TMJ?
An orthotic, sometimes called a Bite Splint, is a very effective method in relieving TMD symptoms. It provides an acrylic platform to bite against, sometimes moving the mandible to a new position that is more comfortable.
At Smooth Sailing Dental, Dr. Wierzbicki offers neuromuscular dentistry services designed to address issues relating to jaw pain and misalignment.