TMJ / TMD

If you are suffering from symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly called TMJ/TMD, you are not alone. There are an estimated 35 million people in the United States who have varying degrees of symptoms TMJ. Neuromuscular dentist Dr. Walter Palmer has completed intensive training to help patients recognize the symptoms of TMJ and provide treatment options.

Symptoms of TMJ

Millions of people live with pain and discomfort simply because they cannot explain where it is stemming from. These people may not associate the symptoms they are experiencing with a misaligned jaw joint such as:

  • Jaw pain or stiffness
  • Jaw popping or clicking
  • Jaw locking or limited movement
  • Severe, chronic headaches
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Ear pain
  • Ear ringing or difficulty hearing
  • Dizziness
  • Bite misalignment
  • Facial pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Difficulty chewing

Causes of TMJ

Although dentists do not know the exact causes of TMJ, there are a number of situations that can lead to this condition, including:

  • Excessive tooth grinding or clenching causing muscle fatigue
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis causing cartilage damage
  • Trauma to the jaw joint
  • Erosion of the jaw joint’s cushioning disk

Treatment for TMJ

Dr. Palmer uses state-of-the-art technology to first identify whether TMJ is to blame for your discomfort and then to work at realigning the jaw to its proper position. He uses a Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit to deliver electrical pulses to the jaw area to relax the TMJ. Once the optimal jaw position is determined, Dr. Palmer will employ treatment such as splints or night guards to keep the nerves in the TMJ relaxed.

In addition to these neuromuscular dentistry techniques, patients can help the process by making lifestyle changes such as:

  • Managing their stress
  • Practicing relaxation techniques
  • Avoiding hard foods
  • Maintaining good posture
  • Avoiding tooth grinding

If you reside in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area and would like to learn more about TMJ, please contact neuromuscular dentist Dr. Walter Palmer today for a free consultation at River Bluff Dental.

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