What is TMJ/TMJD?

TMJ refers to the Temporomandibular Joint itself—the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, essential for jaw movements like chewing and speaking. TMJD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, which are issues affecting the TMJ’s functionality and causing pain, often leading to symptoms like discomfort and restricted jaw movement.

However, when this jaw movement leads to persistent pain, it could be indicative of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), a condition that warrants further attention and should not be dismissed as merely uncomfortable.

Remember, experiencing pain isn’t something you should accept as normal. There are solutions and ways to achieve relief, whether your discomfort stems from TMJD or another condition.

Symptoms of those suffering with TMJD may include:

1

Persistent jaw pain or tenderness

2

Pain that appears during chewing or difficulty chewing

3

Discomfort around your ears or an aching pain when you move your jaw

4

Challenges in opening or closing your mouth, as if your jaw gets stuck

5

Noticeable clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth

6

General facial pain which can extend to the neck

What Causes TMJD?

Jaw Overuse: Activities like excessive chewing or teeth grinding can strain your jaw muscles and lead to TMD.
Impact or Trauma: Accidents that impact your jaw can disrupt its movement or damage the joint.
Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis can wear down the joint, complicating jaw movement.
Stress: Stress can lead to jaw clenching and teeth grinding, common habits that may develop into TMD.
Dental Misalignment: Irregular alignment of teeth or the jaw can put undue stress on your jaw joints.
Jaw Overuse: Activities like excessive chewing or teeth grinding can strain your jaw muscles and lead to TMD.
Impact or Trauma: Accidents that impact your jaw can disrupt its movement or damage the joint.
Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis can wear down the joint, complicating jaw movement.
Stress: Stress can lead to jaw clenching and teeth grinding, common habits that may develop into TMD.
Dental Misalignment: Irregular alignment of teeth or the jaw can put undue stress on your jaw joints.

Our TMJD Solutions

At our clinic, we fully understand the complexities of TMJD and how it varies from one individual to another. With this in mind, we devote ourselves to crafting personalized and considerate treatment plans that not only target your specific symptoms but also often prevent the need for any invasive surgery.

Advanced Diagnostics

Think you might be dealing with TMJD? We’re here to get to the bottom of it with our cutting-edge digital imaging and comprehensive oral scans, designed to pinpoint any anomalies. Should we discover indicators of more intricate TMJ issues, we may recommend an MRI to ensure we have a complete and clear understanding of your situation.

Orthotic and Intraoral Devices

Our custom-fitted devices offer a straightforward, non-invasive way to ease your discomfort by gently realigning your jaw. These tailored solutions are crafted to significantly alleviate common symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking sounds, and persistent headaches, all by correcting the underlying misalignment.

Comprehensive Treatment Plans

We know TMJ disorders are more than just about your jaw; they impact your entire body. That’s why our approach extends beyond the jaw itself, including collaboration with other healthcare professionals. We integrate a range of treatments aimed at addressing associated issues like sleep disturbances and posture irregularities. The result is comprehensive relief that’s not just effective, but truly transformative.
TMJD Treatment to Alleviate Pain & Restore Quality of life.
If you’re struggling with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), finding the right treatment can make all the difference. In the sections below, we walk you through our approach, from the first steps of diagnosis to various treatment options. 
We center our care strategy on 3 principles:

1

Holistic Patient-Centered Strategy:
Everything in the human body is connected. We emphasize the connection between your jaw health and overall well-being.

2

Preventative Care:
Whenever possible, we suggest early interventions to prevent potential long-term TMJ disorders.

3

Individual Needs:
Your treatment will be tailored to specific symptoms and conditions.

Effective Treatment Begins with Accurate Diagnosis
If you’re struggling with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), finding the right treatment can make all the difference. In the sections below, we walk you through our approach, from the first steps of diagnosis to various treatment options.

Standard diagnostic tool used to assess the underlying bone structure of your jaw, helping to identify potential joint or bone issues.

Provides a three-dimensional view of the craniofacial structure, offering detailed insight that is crucial for comprehensive treatment planning.

Utilized to view soft tissues around the TMJ, including the disc and surrounding muscles. An MRI may or may not be necessary, depending on the complexity of the case and specific symptoms presented by the patient.

A Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach for
Better Patient Outcomes

Our team includes chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, myofunctional therapists, and other healthcare professionals. This diverse expertise helps us achieve comprehensive and effective outcomes for our patients.

Each specialist brings unique skills to the table, from posture adjustment and facial muscle retraining to specialized pain management techniques. This collective effort significantly enhances the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Intraoral Appliances: A Non-Surgical Solution

Intraoral appliances are specifically designed to reduce stress on the TMJ by realigning the jaw and muscles, helping to restore natural function.

These devices play a crucial role in alleviating pain and correcting alignment issues in the jaw and teeth, ultimately enhancing both function and quality of life.

From diagnosis to consistent symptom relief, the average treatment duration with intraoral appliances is approximately four months.

Surgery as a Last Resort

Surgery is considered for TMJD only in severe cases. It is recommended for only 1-2% of patients, underscoring its role as a final treatment option after all other methods have been exhausted.

Surgical intervention is recommended solely when essential to address significant structural problems within the TMJ, ensuring that it is pursued with utmost caution.

The decision to proceed with surgery is made with careful deliberation, prioritizing patient safety and long-term health outcomes.

TMJD requires careful consideration and an integrated treatment approach. If you experience any symptoms of TMJD, do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Early intervention can prevent further complications and improve your quality of life.

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FairlingtonDental.com
Michael Rogers, DDS
Fairlington Dental
4850 31st Street South, Suite A Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 671-1001
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