TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Today in our busy lifestyles, headaches and migraines have become part of everyday life for some people, in some instances, these may be caused by TMJ dysfunction.

So what exactly is TMJ dysfunction? Your temporomandibular joint is a ball and socket joint, which is at the junction just in front of your ears where your jaw connects to your skull. It is this joint that allows you to open and close your jaw, talk, swallow, eat and chew. A bad bite as well as improper jaw position can contribute to chronic facial pain for a sufferer of TMJ dysfunction.

If you have any of the symptoms listed, you may be an undiagnosed TMJ sufferer.

• Jaw pain
• A clicking or popping in the jaw joints
• Headaches
• Neck and/or shoulder pain
• Tooth pain
• Ear pain
• Clenching
• Grinding, also known as Bruxism
• Ringing in the ears, called tinnitus

At Smile Dynamics, we perform a full examination of the TM joints, head, neck and facial muscles, using computer diagnostics to measure the sounds, muscle balance, jaw position and occlusion. Treatment can vary depending on the individual, although usually a neuromuscular bite splint, which is made to a physiological bite position, is the first step to confirm the diagnosis of TMD. Ultimately, a jaw position and a stable bite that allows for the optimal health of the jaw joints, jaw muscles and the teeth needs to be established. This is known as neuromuscular dentistry.