TMJD - Symptoms and Causes

By Loran Simon


According to the American Dental Association the condition Temperomandibular Joint Pain Dysfuntion (TMJD) afflicts around 20% of the population. Sadly this condition is typically not discovered or is misdiagnosed as it is quite like other illnesses.

Indications of TMJD

The temperomandibular joint is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. These jaw joints are on the left and right side of the face and connect the lower jaw to the skull. They are used every time we talk, chew and swallow. The jaw joint has two parts that allow the hinge and gliding motions needed to open the mouth.

The jaw joints are a part of a interconnected system of other facial bones and muscles that work together to allow the opening and closing of the mouth, plus the forward, backward and wide to side movements of the lower jaw.

Issues inside this system can end up in TMJ disorders. That's the muscles and joints not working together as they should, leading to muscle spasms. These muscle spasms produce pain, tenderness, and damage to the tissues.

Causes of TMJD

TMJD is a complex condition and may be caused by a number of different factors, or indeed a combination of them. Common reasons include clenching or grinding of the teeth, dental issues in the way the teeth fit together, arthritis, and damage to the facial bones or jaw bones.

The most frequent TMJ condition affects the jaw muscles themselves. This can also be referred to as myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD). Between the ages of twenty and forty this disorder affects lots more women than men. It is thought that this is because of clenching and grinding of the teeth caused by tension and stress.

A new treatment for TMJ is the Somnowell Mandibular Advancement Appliance. Oral appliances have been employed for many years in the treatment of TMJD. The Somnowell however is the first appliance made of chrome cobalt alloy, making it smaller and more comfortable than bulky plastic devices. Being less bulky it also introduces less vertical opening which can on occasion be beneficial and is clearly more comfortable.

TMJD is a complicated condition and It is advised to always seek out the advice of a TMJD specialist who will be able to inform on the best course of treatment.






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