TMJ: From Symptoms to Diagnosis

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TMJ From Symptoms to Diagnosis
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• The TMJ (otherwise known as the Temporomandibular
  Joint) is a unique piece of the body that is
  responsible for allowing the jaw bone to move
  freely from the rest of the skull.

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• A healthy TMJ allows a person to eat and drink
  easily, without any pain or discomfort.
  Unfortunately, studies have shown that over 10
  million Americans suffer with TMJ issues on a
  daily basis.

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• Not only does this condition cause a dull
  discomfort in the jaw, it can also affect a
  persons oral health. Because this issue has
  become such a large phenomenon in the U.S.,
  heres a brief overview of TMJ disorders and
  symptoms.

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Different TMJ Disorders

• Because the TMJ controls movement of the jaw, it
  affects the muscles of the face responsible for
  chewing and talking. Three most common TMJ
  conditions include

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• TMJ Arthritis As we age, soreness in our joints
  is somewhat inevitable. Like our fingers and
  wrists, sometimes jaws become sensitive to
  overuse.
• Myofascial This condition includes people who
  have general discomfort with their TMJ or facial
  muscles that control jaw function.
• Internal Derangement The most severe of the
  three TMJ conditions, internal derangement is the
  result of a dislocated jaw or other severe injury
  to the facial area.

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• Dentists and doctors continue to work on
  discovering why TMJ is affecting so many people
  in our country. Unfortunately, scientists are
  still unable to determine the exact cause of TMJ
  disorders in which the patient has never suffered
  trauma to the area.

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• What they have determined, however, is that many
  TMJ patients have contracted the condition as a
  result of trauma to the jawline or TMJ itself.
  This could be the result of a sports injury, a
  fist fight, or simply the result of degenerating
  tissue in the jaw.

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There are a few different TMJ symptoms people
experience

• Jaw Pain This is the most common symptom that
  causes patients to seek treatment. Oddly, TMJ
  pain can last for a short temporary period, or
  last a duration of several years. The exact
  amount of jaw pain (and how long it lasts)
  depends on the person, and how soon they seek
  treatment. In some severe cases, individuals have
  complained of their TMJ pain stretching into
  their face, ears, shoulders, and neck.

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• Trouble Chewing and Opening Your Mouth If youre
  having a hard time keeping your mouth open during
  your regular dental cleaning, it may be a sign
  that your jaw is suffering from a TMJ disorder.
  In some cases, the discomfort associated with
  keeping your mouth open for extended periods of
  time may also affect your ability to chew through
  dinner comfortably.

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• Clicking, Popping, and Grinding If youve ever
  experienced your jaw pop, or heard a recurring
  click every time you opened up to chew, you have
  seen the effects of TMJ disorders first hand.
  Studies have shown that although this phenomenon
  is a sign of an impacted joint, it doesnt seem
  to cause any more pain or discomfort than
  disorders that do not cause clicking and grinding
  sounds.

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• An issue with your Temporomandibular Joint can
  cause long-term oral pain and discomfort if left
  untreated. To help the incredible number of
  people suffering from this condition, weve
  developed a migraine center that helps patients
  cope with the side effects of conditions like TMJ
  disorders. If you suspect you have a TMJ
  disorder, and would like to have it checked by a
  professional, contact our team today to schedule
  a consultation.

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• To Know More Information, Visit Us

http//morrisondentalgroup.com/dentist-newport-new
s-va/