November is known to many as TMJ Awareness Month. Our orthodontic offices across Southern Colorado use this time every year to help spread awareness and reach patients who may be suffering from TMJ Disorder unknowingly. An extremely common disorder, Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is also twice as common in adult women. This month, we will go over TMJ, its symptoms, and how Rangewood Orthodontics across South Colorado and Colorado Springs can treat it!
Rangewood Orthodontics Answers: What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?
People who are suffering from temporomandibular disorder often report the following:
- Recurring headaches and neck aches
- Pain in the jaw, especially in the morning or late afternoon
- Pain in and around the ear
- Jaw pain when biting, yawning, or chewing
- Tender and sore jaw muscles
- Teeth sensitivity
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- A clicking sound when the mouth is open or closed
TMJ Disorder Explained
The Temporomandibular joint is a complex articulation of the movable lower jaw (mandible) and the base of the skull (temporal bone) which makes it possible to close your mouth. Located on both sides of a patient’s head, the TMJ is a ball and socket joint with an intervening disc. All these parts work together with supporting jaw muscles and ligaments that allow a person to chew, speak, and swallow.
TMJ disorder affects millions of Americans between ages 20 and 40. It causes significant jaw pain in the joint and along the muscles that control the jaw’s movement. It is sometimes difficult to identify the root cause. There are several different ways it can occur with no definitive way to prevent the disorder from occurring.
How Does Rangewood Orthodontics Treat TMJ Disorder in Colorado Springs?
There are three non-invasive treatments for TMJ disorder that are common. The first is a night guard patients wear to hold their teeth apart and prevent grinding. This works to ease the pressure exerted on the TMJ joint by enabling it to slide back into position and lessen the impact. The second treatment is a splint always worn, usually with braces. Orthodontic braces treat TMJ disorder most effectively, as TMJ disorder stems from issues with the bite which orthodontic braces treats. Braces are designed to get teeth into the proper alignment which also keeps TMJ pain at bay.
Want to Know More? Visit a Rangewood Orthodontics Location
At Rangewood Orthodontics, we have several convenient locations across the Colorado Springs area. We love meeting new faces and giving them the smile of their dreams. To find a location closest to you and learn more about what we do, visit our website today!