Trouble with Your Jaw?

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

• Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
  
  
• Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
  
  
• Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
  
  
• Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
  
  
• Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
  
  
• Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
  
  
• Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat or yawn?
  
  
• Have you ever injured your neck, head or jaws?
  
  
• Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
  
  
• Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
  
  
• Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
  
  
• Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
  
  
• Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
  
  The more times you answered "yes," the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.
   
  Treatment
  
  There are various treatment options that Ridgewood Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Ridgewood Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care joined with professional care.