Signs & Symptoms Possible with TMJD
• Painful clicks or pops when opening or closing the mouth
• Sore Jaw or facial muscles upon awakening
• Pain in TMJ area
• Locking of the jaw
• Difficutly in opening the mouth
• Frequent headeach or neck aches
• Clenching or grinding the teeth

These symptoms can also be associated with a disorder called myofascial pain syndrome~(MPD). A specialist in oral or maxillofacial surgery can diagnose this disorder when evaluating your need for TMJ treatment.

Treatments vary from jaw rest, soft diets, oral splints, medication, time , to surgery. Treatment depends on your jaw anatiomy .Finding a maxillofacial surgeon experienced in TMJ treatment is essential.

Muscle Pain or stains will usually be treated with a soft diet, tylenol and/or ibuprofen. Clenching/grinding problems may be treated with antidepressants in low doses to improve your sleep patterns & decrease the intensity of the clenching & grinding. Dental splints or mouthguards properly fitted to you may also decrease the intentsity of clencing & grinding & wear on the teeth.

Disc displacement can be treated the same as above or may require additional treatment such as surgery. It is important to seek medical attention & get an accurate diagnosis of disc displacement- their are 2 stages one where the disc is partially dislocated (early stage) or when the disc is permantly dislocated (later stage).An MRI will show your jaw anatomy on opening & closing which can determine your diagnosis. Seeking treatment as early as possible will be advantagous to your outcome.