TMJ is short for the temporomandibular joint. When issues occur with this joint, it can cause a range of disorders known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD for short.

TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is characterized by jaw pain and soreness, constant clicking, restricted range of motion, and occasionally headaches or earaches. Consult with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you experience any of these TMD symptoms since we are experts in treating issues involving the facial bones, particularly the jaw. TMJ issues can range from moderate to severe, and they can be temporary or permanent. Therefore, each patient's scenario is handled differently when they receive TMJ treatment in Durham, North Carolina.

Behind your jaw, in each temporomandibular joint, is a disc. Behind your jaw, on either side of your skull, there are two. As a buffer between the two, the (TMJ) disc rests between a ball and a socket. Your jaw is supported while it moves and functions by the temporomandibular joint.

Your jaw is supported by the temporomandibular joint as you chew, speak, and use the muscles in your mouth. Your pain may be coming from this location if it tightens up or if it's somehow restricted.

TMJ problems is a chronic pain syndrome linked to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. TMJ issues frequently manifest as symptoms including persistent headaches, teeth grinding, face, and jaw pain. It is crucial for patients to see a dentist trained in treating TMJ disorders so that the proper tests may be done. Doctors frequently misdiagnose TMJ disorders.

The state of your smile and your quality of life may suffer if the TMJ issue is not treated. TMJ issue patients can receive a wide spectrum of TMJ treatment in Durham from our TMJ clinic in Durham, North Carolina.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a disorder that leads to intense facial pains. Women who are of childbearing age are most commonly affected, but TMD can affect men and children as well.

The exact causes of this disorder are unknown. However, it can manifest in painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Here at the Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ, our TMJ experts treat a range of patients who suffer from TMD.

There isn't just one cause of TMJ dysfunction. Different factors may cause stress or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint. A malocclusion, crooked or misaligned teeth, or orthodontic issues are common in patients who develop TMJ conditions. It gets more challenging to eat, chew, and speak without experiencing pain or discomfort when the jaw joint is constantly under stress and damage.

• Bruxism (grinding): Many people clench or grind their teeth while they sleep at night. The joint becomes inflamed as a result of the tremendous strain this uncontrollable movement places on it.

• Displacement or dislocation of the disk: The TMJ or articular disk, which is located between the mandible (the jawbone) and the socket, is susceptible to displacement, dislocation, or injury, which can lead to pain and discomfort.

• Trauma: Any portion of the jaw might become injured, resulting in joint pain.

• Stress: Sometimes the outcome of stress is painful spasms and difficulty moving the jaw.

The symptoms of TMD are categorized as types of craniofacial pain. Craniofacial pain is a broad term used for encompassing all pain in the face and head, including those caused by temporomandibular disorders. Craniofacial pain can include the following symptoms:

• Muscular/facial pain

• Locking of the jaw

• Clicking or popping of the jaw

• Nerve disorders

• Referred ear pain, fullness or ringing

• Headaches

• Neck pain

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please come into our TMJ treatment center and speak to us about our jaw pain treatment options.

If you have TMD, waiting can become painful or more painful if you already have pain. Sometimes, damage is not reversible. Did you know that 15% of untreated TMJ sufferers will develop a chronic TMJ Disorder AND an estimated 17.8 million work days are lost annually due to TMJ disorder related issues.

TMJ pain alleviation without surgery is a solution in some minor situations, at our sleep apnea and TMJ center we provide TMJ therapy in North Carolina according to the severity of the symptoms. The following TMJ treatments that can help you manage symptoms and reduce TMJ pain without surgery:

Keep Your Jaw in Its Resting Posture

Reduce wide jaw motions like chewing, yawning, singing, and yelling to aid with TMJ pain. Try your best to maintain the most relaxed state of your muscles. Visit our TMJ clinic for more details.

Adjust Your Posture

You may experience more jaw pain if you sit in an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time.

Take frequent pauses while working and select a chair with back support to enhance your posture. Set your seat as upright as you can while driving, and if engaging in leisure activities like watching TV or reading, select a location that enables you to sit upright and arrange a pillow behind your back for support.

Apply a Compress—Hot or Cold

Heat and ice both help to relieve discomfort and swelling, while heat also helps to relax your jaw muscles. Apply for 15-20 minutes.

Lessen Stress

To assist with relaxing and loosening up your jaw, try meditation practices. For example, yoga exercises can assist in reducing the strain on your muscles. Gardening is also a terrific pastime to try to calm your thoughts.

Try Jaw Exercises

Your joints' mobility may improve with jaw stretching exercises.

Habits To Avoid

TMD pain may be brought on by a few inclinations:

 • Biting of nails

 • Lip and cheek chewing

 • Propping of your jaw on your hand

 • Teeth clenching

TMJ Surgery Types

If non-invasive treatment options prove ineffective, temporomandibular joint disease (TMD) can be treated surgically in one of three ways: arthroplasty, arthroscopy, or full joint replacement. The first two therapy options include same-day, minimally, or moderately invasive surgeries done while the patient is under general anesthesia. These are severe TMJ treatment options. As such we recommend you consult with us about TMJ therapy options before pursuing surgical options.

If you are unsure about your diagnosis or treatment, you should avoid having any type of “irreversible” therapy including:

• Orthodontics or braces*

• Equilibration – grinding the teeth down to improve your bite*

• Crowning the teeth*

• Tooth extraction

• Root canals

• ANY type of surgery for TMJ or the jaw

*The American Dental Association refers to these procedures as “phase two therapy” and recommends that they only be performed AFTER successfully having “phase one therapy.”

TMJ treatment in North Carolina usually involves a conservative therapy plan combined with the use of oral orthotics or “splints.”

In our office, splints for daytime use are usually made to be worn on the bottom teeth, making it less noticeable, more comfortable, and easier to speak while it is in. Generally, we prescribe a different splint for night usage,

In addition to using splints, other therapies for jaw pain treatment may include:

• Prolotherapy

• Therapeutic injections to help “unlock” your jaw

• Botox

• Trigger point injections

• Medical acupuncture

• Moist heat application

• Massage therapy

• TENS therapy

• Iontophoresis

• Ultrasound

• Medications