Posted: October 15, 2022
TMJ affects millions of Americans, and some sufferers may not realize they have the condition. It’s easy to misdiagnose since the symptoms are similar to other diseases and conditions. Forestream Dental Group is familiar with TMJ.
What is TMJ?
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the ball and socket joint connecting your jawbone to the skull becomes misaligned or isn’t function properly.
The disorder is caused by a variety of issues that include genetics, inflammation, and physical trauma.
Other causes for TMJ are,
- Emotion and mental stress
- Improperly fitting dental work
- Poor posture
Some bad habits you may be trying to break, like nail-biting, grinding your teeth, and excessive gum chewing, can also cause your jawbone to become misaligned with your skull.
How Do You Know if You Have TMJ?
TMJ isn’t always visible. From the front and side, your jaw may appear aligned with your skull. However, the symptoms can be painful and disrupt your quality of life.
Some of the symptoms we check for at Forestream Dental Group include,
- Repeat migraines and headaches ranging from mild to severe
- Limited jaw movement
- Chronic pain around the TMJ joint
- Earaches
- Uneven bite making it difficult to chew
- Tooth loss or teeth that are cracking and chipping
- Earaches that can include ringing in the ears
Some of our patients patients also complain of pain in their faces, neck, back, and shoulders. TMJ can even affect your mental health. Depression is another symptom associated with the disorder.
Diagnosing TMJ
Forestream Dental Group uses state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose the disorder. The hands-on evaluation includes using mandible scanners, electromyography, and electromyography. The advanced equipment allows us to create a specialized treatment plan to correct the misalignment.
Contact Forestream Dental Group Today
If you suspect you are having issues with your jaw alignment, schedule a consultation online or call our New York office at 716-656-8686.
