TMD

Whilst the main cause of TMD is unknown, there are various factors that can aggravate and influence TMD, such as:

• • Missing teeth
  • Grinding and clenching
  • Emotional and physical stress
  • Conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Trauma such as fractures or dislocation of the jaw
  • Post orthodontic treatment (incorrect jaw position)
  • Unnecessary orthodontic extraction
  • Undiagnosed TMD (worsens)

Some of the most common symptoms of TMD may include:

• • Clicking of the jaw
  • Migraines
  • pressure at the back of the eyes
  • Jaw locking or moves out of place
  • Tenderness of jaw muscles
  • Limited jaw movement
  • Face, neck and shoulder pain
  • Grinding (teeth may appear to be chipping and losing vertical dimension)

The aim when treating TMD is to lessen or relieve pain, restore jaw function and enable you to carry out your normal daily activities. To help achieve this our dentists work alongside several health disciplines, the dentist may:

• Advise a custom-made occlusal splint
• Prescribe pain relief
• Refer you to a specialist regarding TMD
• Refer to Craniopathic chiropractor
• In severe cases refer to a surgeon