TMJ Dentist in Boynton Beach, FL

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint and is used to describe dysfunction or disorders related to the joint. “Temporo,” refers to the temple area of the skull; “mandibular,” refers to the lower jaw; and “joint” is essentially where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a trauma, misalignment of the teeth, or excess muscle tension. The two bones that meet at the jaw are buffered by cartilage and five different muscles, so TMJ can cause a variety of troubles.

Joint or muscle pain in the jaw associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common diagnosis for people suffering from jaw pain. Many different factors can cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), despite the fact that it is categorized as a single disorder.

There are many other symptoms that can indicate a joint disorder, and pain is not the only one of these. When moving their jaw, some patients may hear popping or grinding noises. The jaws of others may become tender or stiff or even lock. When diagnosing TMD, our experienced Boynton beach dentists look for more than just pain.

Symptoms of TMJ

Common TMJ symptoms:

Headaches
Earaches
Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Pain in the jaw muscles
Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

What Causes TMJ?

There are numerous factors that can play into a patient developing TMJ. Common causes of TMJ include clenching of the jaw, grinding teeth, or excessively stressing and straining your jaw muscles. Injury and disease can also lead to the development of TMJ, such as tears in the ligaments or tissue within your jaw. If you are suffering from pain in your jaw and believe you may have TMJ, contact an experienced dentist in Boynton Beach today!

Treatments for TMJ

Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, and more. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If TMJ is left untreated and reaches extremes, surgery may be required to repair the badly damaged joint.

Physical therapy often provides patient’s suffering from TMJ with significant relief. Physical therapy for TMJ treatment can include stretches, exercise, changes to diet and food intake, stress reduction, and even laser therapy.

Changes to one’s diet can also lead to improvement. When being treated for TMJ, your dentist may suggest a diet consisting of softer foods and to rest your jaw when not eating.

Here at Smile Boynton, our experienced TMJ Treatment Dentists have years of experience in providing patients suffering from TMJ with relief.