even slightly off, you are going to feel that popping sensation you noticed. When this doesn’t go away right away, it could be a sign of a temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. TMD is the correct name for the problem, but many people call it TMJ after the joint that is affected.
CAUSES OF TMJ The biggest question after being given this diagnosis is, “Does TMJ go away?” The answer isn’t black or white, though. It depends on the cause for your symptoms. Although we don’t know exactly what causes TMJ, we do know that it all stems from the joint itself. TMJ is a common side effect seen after a trauma to the jaw or to the side of the head. With this type of injury, symptoms are frequently moderate to severe.
BY DR. EDMOND SUH
IS YOUR JAW
BECOMING
Other cases of TMJ start out as annoying or mild discomfort. They seemingly appear out of nowhere, but are usually the result of damage to the joint from an ongoing habit. Grinding or clenching your teeth or chewing gum are frequently the reason your jaw starts popping. What’s happening is that your facial muscles attached to the joint are overworked and are tightening up. This is painful enough, but if it continues, the problem gets worse. There is a little disc
A PAIN?
I
f you’ve been to the dentist because of ongoing “popping” in your jaw, you may have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder. TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint, is a disorder that ranges from annoying and uncomfortable to severely painful. It sounds scary, but for most people, this condition is a short-term one that goes away with rest and treatment.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE TMJ? Before I delve into what it means to be diagnosed with TMJ, let’s look at the body parts it involves. Your temporomandibular joint is the part that acts as a hinge to connect the temporal bones in your skull to your jaw. It’s a complex joint that functions with a wide range of motion. Think about all the ways you can move your jaw. The temporomandibular joint is responsible for the way you move your mouth and jaw forward and backward and side-to-side. To be able to make all these complicated movements, like talking, chewing, and yawning, the joint must be aligned perfectly with the bones. Any time it is 70
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