TMD / TMJ

TMD stands for temporomandubular dysfunction (also referred to as temporomandubular disorders). This term is used to reference a general group of problems involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues associated with them. Some practitioners might include the neck, the back and even the whole body in describing problems with TMD.

The terms “TMD” and “TMJ” are often confused; while TMJ specifically refers to the joint itself, TMD refers to the disorders that affect it.

Pain is NOT the usual first indicator of TMD. As in most diseases, there is progression of the disease process prior to the expression of pain. Conversely, a healthy joint should not be painful to compressive loading and normal function. A comprehensive test of the TMJs should be part of each dental examination.

Many TMD’s will demonstrate clicking or popping noises when the person opens wide or chews food. These sounds are indicative of the articular disk being seated and unseated in some way over the condyle as the lower jaw moves. Some of these sounds are serious and some are not.

The occlusion or “bite” is not just a function of the teeth alone. There is no way to analyze or alter the occlusion (bite) without involving or considering the TMJ’s in some way. They are both an integral part of the bony structures that join them.