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Gainesville
1221 Sherwood Park Dr., NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-1075 » Email Us
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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the lower jaw joins the temporal
bone of the skull in front of the ear on each side of the head. A small
disc of cartilage separates the bones so the lower jaw slides easily. The
TMJ moves every time one chews, talks, and swallows and is one of the most
frequently used of all joints of the body.
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An MRI is used in diagnosing complications in the temporomandibular
joint. |
TMJ Syndrome (or TMJ Disorder)
When a patient experiences pain over the joint in front of the ear, possibly
radiating elsewhere, it is often caused by TMJ
Syndrome (or TMJ
Disorder). When referring to such
ailments, the term TMJ covers a complex set of conditions that is manifested
in several ways. TMJ Syndrome may cause sharp and searing pain triggered
by yawning, talking, swallowing, or chewing, or it may cause a dull and
constant ache.
It is estimated by the National Institutes of Health that at any given time
there are almost 11 million people in the United States suffering from TMJ
problems. Approximately 90 percent of patients seeking treatment for TMJ
Syndrome are women, although both men and women are afflicted with the condition.
TMJ Syndrome Categories
The most common TMJ diseases and TMJ disorders fall into three main categories,
and a patient suffering from TMJ may have one or more of these conditions:
- Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint;
- Internal Derangement of the Joint
The cartilaginous disc that acts as a cushion between the skull and
the jaw joint is out of alignment;
- Myofascial Pain
Discomfort or pain in the facial, jaw, or neck muscles.
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© 2005, Dr. Fred H. Simonton, III All rights
reserved.
by: Red Clay Interactive |
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