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Jaw joint issues or temporomandibular disorders are referred to as TMJ or TMD. When the temporomandibular joint in the jaw is stressed or worn from pressure or bite misalignment, it can cause pain and discomfort. Lufkin Family Dental can help diagnose and treat TMD to relieve the pain and help restore normal function in the jaw with general dentistry.
There are various symptoms and causes of TMD. Many people with this disorder will experience pain in and around the jaw, often accompanied by clicking or popping noises when opening and closing their mouth. Some may feel tingling or numbness in the jaw or face, sometimes with swelling. This disorder can be caused from teeth grinding, bite misalignment or other dental problems.
Treatments can also vary, but often a mouth guard or orthodontics can help alleviate the stress on the jaw joint. Often, just wearing a customized mouth guard at night can stop teeth grinding and relieve pressure on the jaw. Dr. Allen can determine the best treatment for your TMD, but the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis.
Because the symptoms of TMD widely vary, it is often misdiagnosed. A patient may experience constant headaches or neck pain from TMD, yet their regular physician may not check for TMD. Since this disorder usually is caused by a dental issue, a dentist is the best place to get an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Allen can do the proper x-rays and exam to determine if you have TMD and offer a treatment to relieve the symptoms and pressure on your jaw.
If you have headaches, jaw pain or other symptoms you think may be caused by TMD, come see us at Lufkin Family Dental. We can get an accurate diagnosis if TMD is the issue and offer treatment. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.