| Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a | | | | Pain related to TMD may be sharp and searing or dull |
| condition in which your bite becomes misaligned, | | | | and constant. Pain is typically over the joint |
| causing many serious and often painful health | | | | immediately in front of the ear but can radiate |
| problems. You will see the acronyms TMJ and TMD | | | | elsewhere and cause spasms in the muscles attached |
| often used interchangeably, but they will also be used | | | | to the bones of the skull, face and jaws. Some of |
| to distinguish the joint (TMJ) from the actual disorder | | | | the most notable symptoms of TMD are: |
| of the joint (TMD). | | | | · Limited jaw movement |
| One of the most painful and debilitating symptoms of | | | | · Locking, clicking, and popping of the jaw |
| TMD is migraine headache. Many physicians, even | | | | · Tingling or numbness in the fingers |
| neurologists, have not received the dental training | | | | · Difficulty swallowing |
| required to diagnose TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) | | | | · Insomnia |
| problems and how they relate to your migraines. | | | | · Headaches |
| Neuromuscular dentistry is the branch of dentistry | | | | · Stiff or tight jaw muscles |
| that helps people correct the jaw problems that have | | | | · Ear problems, including ringing and pressure |
| caused them pain for years, possibly even decades. | | | | · Neck, shoulder, and back pain |
| TMD causes migraines because the trigeminal nerve is | | | | Many times, patients see doctors for severe |
| one of the most powerful and complex nerves in the | | | | headache and are given medications to treat the pain |
| human body. This nerve is completely responsible for | | | | of the headache; however, there is often no |
| the temporomandibular joint and tooth functions and | | | | treatment provided for what is actually causing the |
| accounts for over 40% of the brain's processing. The | | | | headaches. Neuromuscular dentistry is the specialized |
| trigeminal nerve has three branches, all affecting | | | | area of dentistry that treats the cause, not just the |
| various parts of the face, head, shoulders and arms. | | | | symptoms, of the painful headaches associated with |
| The pain and muscle tightness associated with TMD | | | | a misaligned jaw. |
| can even affect your hands and fingers. | | | | |