What is TMJ (temporomandibular joint)?
Definition
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint on each side of the head that connects the lower jaw to the skull and lets the mouth open, close and move sideways.
TMJ problems, often called TMD, can cause jaw pain, clicking, locking, limited opening, headaches or ear-area discomfort, and they are linked to the joint, the chewing muscles and sometimes the bite. A first assessment aims to understand what is happening before any treatment is proposed, and conservative options are discussed first. At Creative Arts in Dubai, TMJ assessment is carried out by the specialist orthodontists; Dr. Valeriia Kozachenko focuses on TMJ and jaw function.
Describe when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect eating and sleeping, and bring any earlier imaging. Ask which findings point to the joint, the muscles or the bite, and which simple measures to try first. Ask whether further records, such as axiography, are useful in your case.
Questions about TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
When should a clicking jaw be checked by a dentist?
Clicking on its own is common and is not always a problem; it often comes from the disc inside the joint moving slightly out of place and back. It is worth an assessment if the clicking is new, comes with pain, the jaw locks or catches, opening becomes limited, or you notice your bite has changed. The dentist examines how the jaw moves before suggesting any treatment.
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