Treating Tmj Troubles in Wynnewood

Pennsylvania dentist Dr. Thomas DeFinnis treats patients with a variety of dental needs, including TMJ problems. As one of the most widespread health conditions among American adults—as many as 75 percent of people experience at least one symptom associated with TMJ dysfunction—Dr. DeFinnis educates his patients about the severity of this condition.

What Is Tmd?

Today, Dr. DeFinnis wants to focus on the nature and causes of TMJ dysfunction, and that starts with explaining what it is. TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, and TMD is short for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Located in front of the ear on both sides of your heard, your TMJs allow you to open and close your jaw. As one of the most frequently used joints in the human body, your TMJs help you to bite, chew, speak, yawn, and smile. Unfortunately, TMD is quite common and can make even the simplest activities painful and challenging. As any condition that impairs the normal use of the TMJ, TMD can be caused by a number of factors, including bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching), habitual gum and/or fingernail chewing, malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth), trauma to the jaw or face, and chronic stress.

What Are Common Symptoms Of Tmd?

So you’ve experience one or more of the issies listed above, but how do you know if you suffer from TMJ dysfunction? Some of the most common symptoms of TMD include:

1. Chronic headaches and migraines
2. Jaw clicking or popping during movement
3. Ear, head, face, neck, shoulder, and back pain
4. Dizziness
5. A muffled, clogged feeling or ringing in the ears
6. Limited movement of the mouth and/or neck
7. Facial swelling
8. An uncomfortable bite

Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a deeper look at the treatments for TMD that Dr. DeFinnis offers at our Wynnewood, PA dental office. To reserve a TMJ/TMD consultation appointment with Dr. DeFinnis, call Wynnewood Dental Arts at 610-642-0139 or visit us online at www.wynnewooddentalarts.com.