TMJ Dysfunction

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD, TMJ or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is a collective term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The flexibility in this joint allows you to chew from side to side as well as open and close your mouth.

If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you can have problems in your teeth, gums, the temporo-mandibular joint or the muscles that control movement of your jaw. These problems are called ‘occlusal’ problems.

Occlusal problems can be indicated by teeth that are aching, worn, chipped or broken, fractured fillings and loose crowns.

Grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing in the ears and difficulty in moving your jaw could all be due to your teeth not aligning and meeting correctly. If the jaw is in the wrong position, the muscle jaws can become overworked and start to ache leading to muscle spasm, headaches and even migraine. Sinus pain, back and neck pain and pain behind the eyes may also result.

If Dr Stone suspects that your problems are due to an incorrect bite or jaw misalignment, he may help to diagnose the problem by use of a temporary soft nightguard or hard plastic appliance that fits over your teeth. These devices will be fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet in the correct position and where your muscles are relaxed. This appliance may be required all the time or more often only at night. Use of the appliance will allow Dr Stone to diagnose any jaw misalignment problems and make a decision regarding permanent correction of your bite while protecting the existing teeth and joint from further harm.

Dental Treatments

• Introduction
• Dental concepts we believe in
• Dental Procedures
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Dental Implants
• Nervous Dental Patients