St. Paul Highland Park Dentist Explains Causes and Treatment for TMJ

Written by Drs. Mark and Rachel Malterud on Nov 15, 2011

Many of my patients who complain of a certain type of symptom are generally unaware that they are suffering from TMJD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. Persistent symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the jaw, an increasing number of headaches, neck pain and slight ringing in the ears are all indicative of a diagnosis of TMJD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

Patients are becoming more familiar with the term ‘TMJ’, but many don’t really understand what it is or the effect it can have on their lives and general health. You have one temporomandibular joint  (TMJ) on either side of your jaw, just in front of the ear The TMJ and the muscles of this area of the face affect chewing, bite (occlusion) and jaw movement. TMJD occurs when this joint is not functioning properly.  A common cause of TMJD is a bite problem that displaces the lower jaw out of its sockets.  Other causes of TMD are head or face injuries, teeth clenching, and wear and tear on teeth from teeth grinding or aging.  In all cases, TMD can be very painful.

People experience the symptoms of TMJ for any number of reasons and it varies from person to person.  It can be caused by stress, teeth grinding and clenching, injury, arthritis, and a number of medical conditions. While there is no known way of preventing this type of pain from occurring, St. Paul Dentistry offers many effective treatments and pain management options to help alleviate the symptoms of TMJD.

We have been successfully treating TMJD longer than anyone in the St. Paul area. You don’t have to live with TMJ headaches and pain, and our non-surgical options provide fast, effective relief. TMJ pain and jaw dysfunction can negatively impact your health and smile in many ways. Our Highland Park, MN Dentist Office takes everything into account when treating TMJ to ensure that you remain pain-free for years to come.