TMD & TMJ Dentistry Procedures
for Ballinger, Brownwood, TX & the Surrounding Areas

What Is TMD?

Your temporomandibular joint, or your TMJ, is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. Your TMJ allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. A properly functioning TMJ allows you to talk, chew, and yawn.

If you are experiencing issues with your jaw and the muscles in your face, you may have temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD is a disorder in which your jaw and face experiences severe pain and discomfort, but especially when trying to do something normal like chew or talk.

Causes of TMD include but are not limited to:

• Grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the joint.
• Movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint.
• Stress, which can cause you to clench and unclench your jaw repeatedly.
• Arthritis in the TMJ.

Common symptoms of TMD:

• Problems when you try to open your mouth wide.
• Your jaw gets "stuck" or "locked" in the open or closed-mouth position.
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This may or may not be painful.
• Trouble chewing or suddenly having an uncomfortable or hard bite.
• Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw, neck, shoulders, or your ears.

Everybody is different, so make sure you come to our general & cosmetic dentistry office today to ensure you get the right, individualized treatment. You may only need medications to keep pain away, or you may need a night guard, or dental work done. Don't hesitate to contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment! We proudly serve Brownwood, Ballinger, and Coleman, TX.