Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) – Loris, SC

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) refers to a group of disorders caused by problems with the jaw, jaw joint, or the facial muscles involved in jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. It enables the jaw to move normally and is one of the body’s most frequently used joints, allowing activities such as talking, yawning, chewing, and swallowing. Proper TMJ function requires the muscles, ligaments, and bones involved in its movement to work correctly; any disruption may result in TMD.

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Types of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMDs are typically categorized into three types:

Muscle Disorders

These cause pain and discomfort (myofascial pain) in the muscles surrounding the jaw joint, as well as in the neck and shoulder muscles. Muscle disorders are the most common type of TMD.

Joint-Derangement Disorders

These are structural conditions caused by injury to the jaw, wear on the joint (such as from bruxism), severe malocclusion, repeated excessive jaw movements, or dislocation/displacement of the articular disc in the TMJ.

Degenerative/Inflammatory Joint Disorders

Overuse or aging of the joint can lead to degeneration or inflammation, often due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or a perforated TMJ disc. Patients may experience one or more types of TMD simultaneously.

Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

While the exact cause of TMD is unclear, symptoms are believed to develop from problems with the jaw muscles or joint. Possible contributing factors include:

  • Trauma to the head or neck
  • Clenching or grinding teeth
  • Bad bite or missing teeth
  • Arthritis
  • Malalignment of the upper and lower jaws
  • Stress, which can lead to jaw muscle tightening and teeth clenching

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Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMD symptoms can be constant or intermittent, and may include:

  • Chronic pain in the face, jaw, neck, or shoulders
  • Chronic pain in or around the ear
  • Limited ability to open the mouth wide
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Uncomfortable bite
  • Swelling on one or both sides of the face
  • Clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth
  • Headaches or neck aches

Symptoms can range from barely noticeable to severely debilitating and may sometimes be caused by conditions other than TMD.

Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Diagnosis may involve a physical examination and one or more of the following tests:

  • Clench test
  • X-rays
  • CT or MRI scans
  • Computer bite analysis
  • Joint-vibration analysis

Many of these tests are performed to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.

Treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Treatment depends on the severity of TMD and may include:

  • Stress-reduction exercises
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Low-level-laser therapy
  • Mouth protectors to prevent teeth-grinding
  • Soft-food diet modifications
  • Heat or ice packs
  • Avoidance of extreme jaw movements

If nonsurgical treatments are insufficient or joint damage is present, surgical options may include:

  • Arthrocentesis
  • Arthroscopy
  • Open joint surgery

Although TMD can be chronic, it can be effectively managed with proper treatment.

Get TMD Help From Our Loris SC Dental Team

To learn more about TMD or our other dental services, call (843) 756-2273 to schedule a Loris SC TMJ consultation at our office in Loris, SC. Our skilled dentists and talented team proudly serve patients in Loris, Tabor City, Myrtle Beach, Marion, Conway, and surrounding areas in South Carolina.