919-682-5327 Do you suffer from frequent jaw pain? Does your jaw hurt when you chew or speak? If so, you may suffer from a condition known as TMJ disorder or TMD. TMJ disorder includes a number of conditions affecting the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the lower jawbone (mandible) to the rest of your head. In some cases, the TMJ may become stressed, misaligned, inflamed or damaged. While the causes of TMD vary greatly, your disorder may be caused by factors such as arthritis in the jaw joint, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), stress, or trauma to the head, jaw, face or neck. You may suffer from TMD if you experience the following symptoms.
- Chronic jaw and facial pain
- Ear pain or ringing in the ears
- Clicking, grating or popping sounds in the jaw joint when you open and close your mouth
- Inability to open your mouth wide
- Pain in the head, neck or shoulders
- A stuck or “locked” jaw
- Painful chewing and speaking
- Frequent tension headaches
Our dentist, Dr. Alex Fleming, and the rest of our office provide quality treatment for your TMJ in Durham, North Carolina, to help you live free from the pain caused by TMD. TMJ treatment varies based on your specific needs and the cause of your disorder; treatment may include restorative dentistry, facial muscle relaxation exercises, a night guard or bite splint, or jaw surgery. To learn more, we welcome you to call us at 919-682-5327 or visit us today.
