Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are characterized by pain and tenderness in a person’s jawbone, as well as in the muscles that are used to control jaw movement. These conditions are typically the result of factors such as genetics, arthritis, oral injury and the excessive clenching and grinding of one’s teeth.
When a patient is examined for a possible TMJ disorder, our experts will usually perform the following examinations:
- Listening to the jawbone and feeling it as it is moved to see if any abnormalities are present
- Measuring the jaw’s range of motion to see if movement is restricted
- Having the patient identify any areas of discomfort or pain on or around the jaw
When dealing with a TMJ disorder, it is sometimes best to provide some sort of medical intervention. This can go a long way towards dealing with the associated pain and discomfort. If our experts determine that you are experiencing a TMJ disorder, we may prescribe one or more of the following:
- Pain medication
- Muscle relaxants
- Physical therapy
- Mouth guards
Dr. Halabo has been named a top dentist for 15 consecutive years! If you believe that you may be experiencing a TMJ disorder, please call us at (619) 427-0810 to schedule an appointment.