Ask Your Redmond Dentist: What are TMJ and TMD?

The temporomandibular joint, commonly known as TMJ, serves as the crucial connection point between your jaw and the temporal bones of your skull. When issues arise with your jaw and the controlling muscles, it is often referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

There is no known cause of TMD, but there are multiple factors that can lead to it:
• A past injury
• Nighttime grinding of the teeth
• Stress-induced teeth clenching
• Misaligned bite

Symptoms of TMD:
• Jaw, neck, shoulder, ear, and/or face pain
• Discomfort during chewing or when opening your mouth wide.
• Clicking, grating, or popping sounds in your jaw joint.

What to expect during a TMJ consultation:

If you’re suffering from any of the painful symptoms listed above, a consultation with our doctors (Dr. McLaughlin, Dr. Stonebraker, and Dr. Jumani) can help you identify the causes of your discomfort and what solutions may be right for you.

During your consultation, we will examine your jaw, bite, teeth, and facial muscles and may possibly take x-rays for a more thorough look.

Non-invasive TMD treatments can relieve your pain!

There are several non-invasive treatments that we may recommend to help, including over-the-counter pain medication, application of an ice pack to the area, simple jaw stretches, and eating soft foods.

In some cases, a night guard or splint is suggested to mitigate the impact of nighttime grinding or clenching. For more advanced cases, dental or orthodontic treatments like crowns, bridges, or braces are necessary to correct or balance your bite.

You don’t have to suffer permanently from jaw, neck, and facial pain caused by TMD! The team here at Redmond Signature Dentistry is skilled in helping Redmond, WA TMD sufferers find relief. Call us at (425) 883-1253 to book your free TMD consultation today!