Temporomandibular joint disorder, also referred to as TMD, TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, is a disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. This disorder is most often caused by a misaligned bite, which puts additional strain on the temporomandibular joint, resulting in a number of symptoms, including neck and shoulder pain, ringing in the ears, numbness in the arms or fingers, and severe headaches.

The symptoms of TMD are very broad and somewhat common, so most who experience these symptoms seek help from a medical doctor. Medical doctors, however, will treat the symptoms individually, failing to treat or properly diagnose the cause of those symptoms. Neuromuscular dentists, like Dr. Daniel Melnick, can not only properly diagnose TMD, but they can also treat it, permanently reliving your pain.

TMD treatment includes three steps. First, Dr. Melnick will use transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) to relax the facial muscles. The next step is to adjust your bite. A temporary orthotic appliance is worn for several months that will change the way your upper and lower jaw meet and will relieve your symptoms. This appliance may be adjusted one or more times until your optimum bite is achieved. Once your optimum bite has been achieved, the final step is to make that adjustment to your bite permanent. In order to make this adjusted bite permanent, Dr. Melnick may fit bridges or crowns or reshape your enamel. The length of the treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of your misaligned bite.

If you would like to learn more about TMD and its treatments, please contact the Laurel, Maryland neuromuscular dentistry office of Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule a TMD consultation.

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder is a disorder caused a misaligned jaw joint (the TMJ). The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull and can be susceptible to any disorder that affects our joints, including arthritis and dislocation. TMD, also called TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, is usually caused by a misaligned bite, which puts strain on the joint, resulting in a number of different symptoms.

Because the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder are so diverse and affect so many different parts of the body, most people suffering these symptoms will go to a medical doctor not considering the fact that their painful symptoms may be a dental issue. Medical doctors will treat the symptoms by prescribing pain medications or some type of physical therapy to ease the discomfort of the area, but medical doctors do not treat the cause of the symptoms. Neuromuscular dentists like Dr. Daniel Melnick, in Laurel, Maryland, have special training to not only diagnose, but also treat the many painful symptoms of TMD, including:

• Clicking/popping noises in the jaw
• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Severe headaches
• Stiffness in the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Numbness and tingling in the fingers
• Bruxism (grinding the teeth)

If you suffer from any or all of the above symptoms of TMD, please contact the Laurel, Maryland neuromuscular dentistry office of Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule a TMD consultation.