This four-part article series provides an in-depth explanation of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD), looking at causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

1. Silver Spring Orthodontist Explain TMJ Disorders, PART 1:
Introduction and Definition
This four-part article series provides an in-depth explanation of Temporomandibular
Joint Disorders (TMD), looking at causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Countless Silver Spring residents live for years with recurring chronic migraines, believing that
they are simply predisposed to having severe headaches. But did you know that a major cause of
chronic headaches is temporomandibular disorder? TMD is a very common condition that
affects many people. Unfortunately, it frequently goes without diagnosis because its sufferers
simply don’t make the connection between head and neck pain and the smooth functioning of
their jaws. In this four-part article series, an experienced Silver Spring orthodontist will be
talking to us about TMD: it’s causes, symptoms and treatment options.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder?
“Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to a suite of
problems that affect the articulating joint of the jawbone,”
explains the Silver Spring dentist. “The temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) is where the mandible (lower jaw) meets the skull
at the temple (hence the name of the joint). If you put two
fingers against your face right in front of either ear, you’ll feel
the joint articulating when you open and close your mouth.”
Just like a well-oiled door hinge, for example, this joint should
allow your lower jaw to articulate smoothly and easily from
left-to-right and up-and-down. By controlling the motion of the
lower jaw, the TMJ enables you to speak, eat and yawn.
Sometimes, however, it doesn’t articulate smoothly and when
there is a problem with the joint, the surrounding muscles and
ligaments can take strain and become inflamed, stiff and painful.

2. What Causes Temporomandibular Disorders?
“It’s difficult to put a finger on the exact cause of TMD,” says a Silver Spring dental implants
dentist. “The cause can be attributed to a wide variety and combination of factors, but the
symptoms are linked with problems in the actual joint and the muscles that control the
jawbone.”
Silver Spring dentists find the following to be the most common cause of TMD:
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Bruxism (teeth grinding) and jaw clenching strains the TMJ and can lead to inflammation of
the joint and the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
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Stress can indirectly cause TMD through jaw clenching, teeth grinding and from tightening
the facial muscles.
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Physical injury to the TMJ, the jaw itself or the surrounding muscles from, for example,
whiplash in a car accident, can cause TMD.
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Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These can affect the joint
connecting the mandible to the temporal plate of the skull.
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“The ball of the mandible can actually become dislocated from the disc or soft cushion of the
temporal socket,” says the Silver Spring dental implants specialist. “This causes it to sit
unnaturally, straining the surrounding muscles and tissues.”
The Symptoms of TMD
TMD presents with an array of symptoms, which affected Silver
Spring residents can experience in any combination, to any degree
and for any length of time. “Some patients experience bouts of TMD
that last only a week or two. Others live with constant head and neck
pain, stiffness and discomfort as a result of this condition,” explains
the Silver Spring dentist. “This condition tends to be more common
amongst women and in people aged 20 to 40.”
Stay Tuned for Part 2..
2...
To find out what the Silver Spring dental implants professional has to
say about the symptoms of TMD, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article
series!
Thanks for Reading