TMD in Concord

Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). But you may hear it wrongly called TMJ, after the joint.

Tempromadibular Disorder (TMD)

Tempromadibular Disorder (TMD) is a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems which involve the facial muscles, temporomadibular joint (TMJ), and associated structures. Common patient symptoms of TMD include jaw ache, ear ache, headache, and facial pain. In order to properly diagnose TMD a thorough head and neck examination is necessary, as well as, current radiographs and imaging studies. Dr. Sanchez practices minimally invasive treatment and does not believe in surgical invasion of the joint (TMJ) unless a tumor is present. He feels with the proper orthotic device and home care, TMD can be treated and corrected. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and would like to be evaluated, please call our office for a consultation.

What Are the Symptoms?

TMD often causes severe pain and discomfort. It can be temporary or last many years. It might affect one or both sides of your face. More women than men have it, and it’s most common among people between the ages of 20 and 40.

Common symptoms include:

  • Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide
  • Problems when you try to open your mouth wide
  • Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This may or may not be painful.
  • A tired feeling in your face
  • Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite — as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
  • Swelling on the side of your face

You may also have toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

What Causes TMD?

We don’t know what causes TMD. Dentists believe symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of your jaw or with the parts of the joint itself.

Injury to your jaw, the joint, or the muscles of your head and neck — like from a heavy blow or whiplash — can lead to TMD. Other causes include:

  • Grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the joint
  • Movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint
  • Arthritis in the joint
  • Stress, which can cause you to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth