When the muscles, tendons and bones that make up your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are relaxed and in balance, your jaw opens and closes with ease. But TMD, also known as TMJ disorder, can be triggered by something simple such as injuries or stress-related tension that pulls on the neck and jaw. In fact, there's many possible causes, such as:
  • Poor bite alignment

  • Chronic clenching or grinding, especially during sleep

  • A trauma, accident, or injury to the neck, jaw, or head

  • Dislocation of TM discs

  • A chronic illness, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders, or rheumatoid arthritis

  • Malformation of face, neck, or jaw

TMD may be the result of one or more of these factors listed. To find the exact origin of your jaw pain, it's best to visit Dr. Giesy, your Tacoma dentist. Once we examine you, we will come up with a strategy for treating your condition and managing your pain.

Our Treatment Options

Severe TMD cases may require more complex forms of treatment, which might include orthodontics, dental restorations like bridgework, or minor procedures inside the joint such as cortisone injections or lavage (flushing) of the joint. It’s rare for major surgery ever to be necessary in a case of TMD. Again, it’s important to try the wide range of conservative, reversible treatments available, and give them enough time to work as they almost always prove effective. The first step is an examination here at our dental office. Don't forget to share these tips with your friends and family. These steps are precautions to help avoid further aggravation of TMJ disorder, and are not treatment solutions in themselves. Contact our dental office today to learn more about our high-tech methods for treating and relieving TMD.