What is TMD?

Do you suffer from chronic jaw pain? Do you find that sometimes the joints in your face and jaw hurt? You may have one or several of the conditions that fall under TMD. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders are a group of conditions that affect the face, neck, and jaw. The conditions are characterized by pain in the joints that affect the whole head and shoulder area. Millions of Americans live with TMD disorders that influence their overall health as well as their oral health.

Signs of TMD

There are multiple symptoms of TMD to look out for:

Joint Dysfunction
Frequent Headaches
Facial Pain
Ear Pain

You may suffer from a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder if you find that you have pain in the joints and spots in your head and shoulder area. However, TMD also affects your oral health. If you have TMD, you may find these symptoms:

Tooth Pain
Tooth Sensitivity
Misaligned Teeth
Difficulty Chewing
Lockjaw
Jaw Soreness

TMD Risk Factors

There are also several preexisting conditions that can make you more vulnerable to developing TMD:

Jaw Injuries
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Arthritis
Connective Tissue Diseases

TMD Treatment

Prior to treatment, Dr. Sal Lotardo will look for signs of teeth grinding, or bruxism. Since bruxism is a risk factor for TMD, it is important to Dr. Lotardo will then determine which treatment is right for you.

The treatment options at Bella Smiles include:

Mouthguards: Custom-fit mouthguards are used to keep teeth from grinding. It can also stop the pain and damage caused by TMD.
Restorative dental treatments: For patients with severe wear and tear on their teeth, we offer restorative dental treatments such as dental crowns, dental veneers, and tooth bonding. These solutions also protect teeth from further damage and improve the appearance of teeth.
Invisalign: Misaligned teeth may be impacting your TMD. Invisalign uses clear custom-fit aligners to keep teeth in place and balance your bite.

Treatments like mouthguards, restorative treatments, and Invisalign prevent further dental problems from developing at the source.