The small joint that connects your jaw to your skull is known as the temporomandibular joint. When this joint starts to malfunction in any way, you may develop a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) that can cause chronic and debilitating pain. This pain can manifest as tooth pain, facial pain, or headaches of migraine-like intensity.
TMJ is estimated to affect approximately 10 million Americans, and many cases of the disorder go undiagnosed or mistreated as another ailment. This is because detecting TMJ disorder is one of the most significant challenges in medical science today. Our doctors at TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI have a certain combination of skills and training to identify a case of TMD and help find long-term relief from pain.
TMD can be caused by any condition that places an overt amount of stress on the joints, nerves, and muscles in the facial and jaw region, such as:
One of the greatest challenges to diagnosing a case of TMD successfully is the fact that the symptoms of the disorder can vary widely from case to case.
Although pain is the most frequent symptom reported from TMJ, many other frequently reported symptoms have to do with the jaw joints specifically, such as:
Any symptom associated with TMD is often a clear indicator that TMJ disorder may exist.
One of the most frequently reported symptoms of TMD is headaches, which may feel as severe as migraines, which is why TMD often is misdiagnosed. If you have been taking migraine medication without obtaining lasting relief, then TMD actually may be causing your headaches.
Our doctors at TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI are some of the best-qualified medical professionals to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder in Grand Rapids. This is because we focus on the alignment of the bite and jaw, two key components to alleviating stress on the temporomandibular joints and revolving a case of TMD.
At TMJ and Sleep Disorders of MI, we are proud that our staff includes Dr. Jerry Mulder, and Dr. Allyson Mulder, both are experts in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder and can evaluate your condition to determine whether or not TMD is the source of your pain. The idea behind treating TMD is to determine the ideal alignment of the jaw.
From there, we will construct an individualized treatment program that may include any of the following components:
If you or someone you love has TMD, then professional diagnosis and treatment by our doctors could resolve this disorder. If you have been diagnosed with TMD, think you may suffer from the disorder, or want to learn more about our TMD treatment program, contact our office today at (616) 929-0892 to schedule a consultation.
The Michigan Centre for TMJ & Sleep Disorders is here to serve patients in the areas of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Big Rapids, Michigan.
You may also fill out the form below to ask your questions & to request an appointment.
