Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a very common cause of facial pain, resulting from problems that affect your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, and the surrounding muscles of your face. The disorder is often associated with grinding and clenching of your jaws from stress and other issues. TMD is a very common condition in dentistry practice, and is increasing, with as many as 10 million people in the U.S. showing some symptoms of TMD.
Dr. Gross coordinates with several area specialists to treat TMD. Ask Dr. Gross for a referral if you believe you have this problem.
More About TMD…
Some of the causes of TMD can include:
- Trauma to the jaw, either a direct blow to the joint or prolonged clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
- Tension or stress, which triggers muscle spasms
- Poor alignment of the teeth (malocclusion)
- Arthritis of the temporomandibular joint
- Tumors of the temporomandibular joint
- Medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
Although there are many symptoms of TMD, some of the more common ones are:
- Pain or tenderness in the area in front of your ear, especially when you chew, speak or open your mouth wide
- An occasional feeling of the jaw being stuck open or closed
- Facial-muscle spasms that make it difficult to open your mouth or that make it feel as though your teeth don't meet normally
- Clicking, popping or cracking sounds or a grating sensation in the jaw when you open or close your mouth
- Headaches that tend to start in the front of the ear and spread to the rest of the head or neck
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