Symptoms of TMD / TMJ
Serving San Diego, La Jolla, and Coronado
Thousands of patients nationwide suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD / TMJ), a common condition where the delicate ball-and-socket joint in your jaw has become misaligned or displaced. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware that they are afflicted with TMD, as its symptoms are easily and frequently misdiagnosed by doctors.
Common Symptoms of TMD / TMJ
Neuromuscular dentists are specially-trained to test for the presence of TMD in patients. If your jaw joint is misaligned, it can affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves in your neck, back, and shoulders, resulting in a wide range of symptoms throughout your body.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
- “Migraine” headaches – The headaches that are caused by TMD often feel like migraines, but they are in fact tension headaches: the result of muscle stress in your face and neck.
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain – The muscles in your jaw, neck, and back all work together. Any tension that is occurring in one muscle will radiate to another, often causing bad posture, which can throw your neck and back out of alignment.
- Numbness and/or tingling – Muscle tension can also place pressure on the bundle of nerves that is located between your shoulder and neck. This nerve bundle, called the brachial plexus, controls your arms and hands. Too much pressure on your brachial plexus can cause tingling and numbness in your hand and fingers.
- Ear pain – Your ears are complex organs with small, delicate parts. Since your jaw joint and its corresponding muscles are located so close to your ears, misalignment and tension can all too easily cause ear problems, including ringing, pain, stuffiness, and even infections.
- Popping and clicking of the jaw – When your jaw is properly aligned, a disc of cartilage acts as a cushion for your joints. When joints are misaligned, they will rub together in uncomfortable ways, often clicking and popping.
- Limited jaw movement – Some patients’ bites are so far out of alignment that their jaw joint catches on itself and becomes stuck.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) – Your jaw’s tension can cause you to unconsciously grind and clench your teeth at night, which often leads to headaches and tooth damage.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Dr. Strober today. During a thorough examination, Dr. Strober can determine whether or not your jaw is out of alignment and discuss the TMD treatment plan that best fits your needs.
Diagnosing and Treating TMD / TMJ
Our office uses a neuromuscular dentistry device called a TENS unit to deliver a series of low-frequency electrical impulses to your jaw muscles. These impulses will increase your blood flow, flushing toxins out of your jaw area and allowing your muscles to relax into a more natural position. Once Dr. Strober has determined your correct jaw position, he can move forward with a treatment plan.
The most common treatment for TMD involves the creation of a custom orthotic appliance that will hold your jaw in place while you sleep, preventing you from grinding your teeth at night. If your bite is significantly misaligned, Dr. Strober may also recommend orthodontic treatment – such as Invisalign® – to help move your teeth back into position.
If you are suffering from the symptoms of TMD, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with experienced neuromuscular dentist Dr. Rod Strober. Our office serves patients throughout the San Diego area.
