Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Houston

Millions of Americans suffer from TMD, although in many cases people are not even aware that they have the condition. It can produce considerable pain, impacting your ability to carry out routine functions such as talking, chewing, or yawning.

What is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. It is one of the most complex joints in your body. It is flexible, combining a hinge action and sliding motions in order to enable your jaw to move up and down and side to side. The TMJ helps your jaw perform important functions such as talking and chewing. To ensure smooth movement, the bones of the joint are cushioned with cartilage and divided by small, shock-absorbing discs.

Before	After
I had daily trouble with jaw pain, neck pain and headaches. After treatment given by Dr. Konig, I am now pain free with a "beautiful smile". – Crystal Jeter

TMD Causes and Symptoms

While it is difficult to determine the exact cause of your condition, TMD generally occurs when your jaw becomes misaligned. Several factors may contribute to this misalignment:

• Grinding your teeth, which places pressure on your TMJ
• Dislocation of the cushioning between the bones in your TMJ
• Arthritis
• Stress
• Damage to the TMJ from a sharp impact

There are a variety of TMD symptoms. Many are quite painful and include:

• Ear pain
• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Headaches
• Clicking or popping sound in your jaw
• Limited mobility of your jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Uneven bite
• Difficulty chewing

TMD Diagnosis

Since many of these symptoms are indicative of other conditions, Houston TMD dentist, Dr. Ronald Konig will need to conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your symptoms are in fact related to TMD. This TMD diagnosis includes:

• Evaluating your TMJ for pain and tenderness
• Listening for clicking and popping noises when you move your jaw and using computerized electro-sonography (ESG)
• Evaluating range of motion in the jaw
• Inspecting bite and facial muscle function of the head and neck
• Posture

If necessary, Dr. Konig will also take panoramic x-rays, an MRI or a CT scan in order to view your jaw, TMJ, and teeth. This will help rule out other conditions as the cause of your symptoms.

Dr. Konig also uses the K7 Evaluation System from Myotronics. The K7 is a sophisticated computerized system that evaluates the movement of your jaw in order to diagnose and determine the scope of your TMD. The K7 can identify irregularities in your jaw movement with greater precision than many other diagnostic instruments.

TMD Treatment

Dr. Konig offers a variety of treatment options to alleviate your TMD symptoms. If treatment is indicated, he will recommend the appropriate TMD treatment based on your unique oral health issues. Treatments may include:

• Pain medication or muscle relaxants to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with TMD
• Computerized diagnosis and analysis
•  Bite guard to be worn at night, preventing your teeth from coming together and minimizing any teeth grinding which may be occurring
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to relax the jaw and facial muscles – this helps alleviate pain and enables Dr. Konig to more easily locate your optimal jaw position
• Orthotic device – a clear, hard plastic mouth guard worn on the lower teeth to move your jaw into the proper position
• Corrective dental restorations such as tooth crowns, dental bridges, or orthodontic treatments which will correct any bite issues you may have – this is after the patient is comfortable and stabilized.

If you believe you may be suffering from TMD, please contact our Houston, Texas TMD dentist today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Konig.  Serving the areas of Sugar Land, Galveston, Houston and Katy, Texas.