Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are disorders of the lower jaw joints, muscles and the nerves associated with chronic facial pain.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the two joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. These joints, along with several muscles, allow the mandible (the lower jaw) to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When the lower jaw and the joints are properly aligned, smooth functions, such as chewing, talking, yawning, and swallowing, can take place. When they are not aligned or synchronized in movement, several problems may occur.
TMJ disorders are multifactorial; they might be caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries, joint diseases, parafunctional habits, wrong occlusion, missing teeth, and stress. Stress plays a major role in aggravating the joints problems by increasing clenching and grinding that leads to tooth structure loss, headaches, and neck and shoulder muscular pain.
Signs and Symptoms of TMDs
● Tenderness / spasms of jaw muscles
● Clicking or popping noises when opening or closing mouth
● Joint pain
● Ringing ears
● Jaw lock
● Frequent headaches
● Pain in or around the ear
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Kassab believes in a holistic approach in the treatment of TMDs. Treatment may include self-care practices, stress management, night guards and deprogrammer devices, orthodontics and bite correction, arthrocentesis and surgery.
