Procedures

Salt Lake City TMJ Treatment FAQs

Serving Salt Lake City And Surrounding Areas In Utah

What are TMJ and TMD?

TMJ is used as an acronym for temporomandibular joint syndrome, another name for temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the upper and lower jaws, and provides for the full range of motion of the jaw.

TMD / TMJ is a condition in which the jaw joint is misaligned, so that the lower and upper teeth don’t meet smoothly and evenly.

What causes TMD?

TMD can be caused by any of a number of factors, including the natural wearing down of the teeth, poorly done dental work, injury, tooth loss, and tooth decay. Sometimes the cause is unknown.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

Pain and soreness in the jaw
Difficulty chewing and speaking
Headaches, neck aches, and migraines
Clicking and popping of the jaw
Loss of range of motion, such as the inability to fully open or close the mouth

What treatments are available?

The most effective treatment available involves restructuring the bite so that the jaw joint is brought back into proper alignment. This might require such things as dental implants, dental bridges, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, and possibly the removal and replacement of existing dental work.

Do I still need TMD treatment even if my symptoms aren't bothering me?

Yes. Many of the symptoms of TMD can exacerbate your condition, so it becomes more troublesome and more difficult to treat over time. Because of this, it is important to treat your TMD as soon as you become aware of it.

What can I do to prevent TMD?

Many of the causes of TMD are unavoidable. You can't control how your tooth wear, for example. However, many cases of TMD are either caused or worsened as a result of poor dental work. That is, dentists who are not experienced in the diagnosis and prevention of TMD may inadvertently misalign the jaw by improperly sizing and structuring dental work such as crowns, veneers, and even fillings.

It is also important to get immediate treatment for any tooth decay or tooth loss, as the loss of a tooth can throw off the alignment of the jaw.

What should I ask my dentist?

Even if you don't currently have TMD, it is important that you ask your dentist what his or her experience is with TMD. Even relatively minor reparative dental work can end up causing serious problems with jaw alignment.