What is TMJ/TMD?

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition characterized by a misaligned temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint which connects your jaw to your skull. You use your TMJ when you open and close your jaws to chew, yawn, and speak.

When the jaw joint is not working properly, it can cause a variety of problems that affect your entire body. TMD is typically treated using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, a field of dentistry that focuses on attending to alignment issues in your jaw and bite.

St. Joseph’s neuromuscular dentist Dr. Andrea Godawa was trained thoroughly on TMD treatment. As a result, she is able to utilize jaw joint knowledge to relieve many of the symptoms caused by TMD.

TMD Symptoms

People with TMD may experience a wide range of symptoms that affect the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and back. Because the jaw joint connects to a variety of other areas like the facial muscles, neck muscles, tendons, and upper-body nerve bundles, even a small problem with your TMJ can have wide-reaching effects. Symptoms of TMD include:

• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Jaw soreness
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness/tingling in the hands and fingers
• Back pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Limited jaw mobility
• Jaws that get locked in a set position
• Difficulty chewing
• Facial swelling
• Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the jaw

Please contact our St. Joseph neuromuscular dentist today to schedule your appointment at Modern Dentistry Associates, serving patients in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Elkhart, Indiana.