TMJ Disorder
Terporo-mandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD, is a condition that affects the jaw joint. Symptoms usually include pain or a clicking sound and can be treated quite easily if it is diagnosed early. Many times, it takes a while for the treatment to be completely effective but over time, the patient will experience a healthier and more comfortable jaw.

Answer the following:
Do you grind or clench your teeth?
Does your jaw muscle feel sore or stiff when you wake up?
Do you frequently suffer from headaches or neck aches?
Does the condition get worse when you clench your teeth?
When you are stressed, does the pain and clenching increase?
When you open your mouth, does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock?
Is it hard or painful to eat, yawn, or open your mouth?
Have you ever suffered from neck, head, or jaw trauma?
Do you suffer from arthritis with any of your other joints?
Do you find that your teeth don't touch when you bite?
Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
Is it hard for you to bite or tear food with your front teeth?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?

If you answered "yes" to many of these, you should come into our office so we can perform an extensive exam on your joint and see if you are one of the many sufferers of TMD.

How is TMD evaluated?
If you think you may be suffering from TMD, try to get into our office as soon as possible. Once here, Dr. Micoli will gather information on your symptoms, your health, and your family history. He will then perform a physical exam which includes examining the joint and its muscles for pain, tension, and tenderness, and a Doppler exam which listens to the joint as your jaw moves. The doctor will also take study models of your teeth to examine the health of your teeth and bite. These will then be mounted on a mechanical device called an articulator to simulate your bite so the doctor can study how your jaw moves.

How did this situation develop?
Stress, clenching, or poor posture could lead to your TMJ tensing up. The tightening pulls your jaws closer together and puts pressure on the joint, sometimes causing the teeth to wear. Another common cause is an injury to the jaw or disease, such as arthritis. An injury could stretch or cause a tear in the ligaments, forcing your disk to slip out of position and possibly lead to arthritis.

How is TMD Treated?
There are usually a series of treatments that can be used to reduce the tension in the jaw muscle or rest you joint so that it may heal. At home, you can rest your jaw by keeping your teeth apart, eating soft foods, reducing stress, and maintaining good posture. Applying ice for 3-5 minutes at a time can help reduce the swelling of the joint and its muscles. Moist heat, applied for 1-2 minutes and then cooled by brushing the area with ice, can relax the muscle. Exercise can also help restore the jaw back to its original range of motion and improve its strength and flexibility. This could be done by looking into a mirror, opening and closing your mouth while keeping your two upper and lower teeth in alignment. This should be done for a few minutes each morning and evening. Many times, the doctor may recommend splint therapy. This is a clear plastic appliance that fits over your teeth. This could be used to help keep your teeth apart to prevent wear, help relax the muscle, and reduce pain. Many times, the splint can also change your jaw position enough to reduce the pressure in your joint. The doctor also may recommend restorative work to alter the shape or size of your teeth to create a more stable bite. This could include building up (by way of filling material or crown) or "shaving down" (occlusal adjustment) a tooth so it hits the other teeth more evenly. Other treatment options include orthodontics, stress management and physical therapy.