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TMD Disorder Symptoms and Causes

Posted on 2/22/2021 by Office of Dr. James A. Krippaehne

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint whereas TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. TMJ refers to a small bone that connects your jaw to the skull. This delicate joint allows you to move your jaw when speaking or eating. Any disorders that inflame this joint are referred to as TMD.

What Causes TMD?

The causes of this disorder are difficult to determine precisely. It can be a single factor or a combination of multiple ones. A jaw injury or arthritis is often the main reason behind this painful disorder. However, sometimes the cause might not be so complicated. If you tend to clench your jaw at night or have a habit of grinding your teeth, then you might suffer from TMD. Genetics also plays a role in TMD and if you have this history in your family, you may be more susceptible to the disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of TMD?

The symptoms are easy to determine since the intense pain in your jaw will tell you that something is wrong. Also, you may find it difficult to open your mouth since your jaw locks up. Apart from this, you may also face difficulty while chewing or talking. You might also experience pain around the ears.

If you are suffering from unbearable pain, there is no need to worry. To get temporary relief from pain, you should put an ice pack over the swollen area. However, this will not get better unless you address the root cause of the problem. This is why we recommend visiting us to know the cause and get appropriate treatment alternatives for TMD. While there could be various reasons for TMD, our solution usually includes a custom made oral mouth appliance that provides a long-term solution and prevents it from reoccurring. To know more about this appliance, give us a call today.

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Dr. James Krippaehne

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Portland, OR 97205

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Dental Blog | West End Dental | Portland, OR
West End Dental, 833 SW 11th Ave, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205; (503) 446-2957; west-end-dental.com; 12/4/2024; Page Phrases: dentist Downtown Portland;