Do You Have TMJ?

In just the U.S. alone, over 10 million people are affected to some degree by TMJ disorder. While this condition may not last a lifetime, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and a disrupted lifestyle in the time that patients do have it. In some cases, TMJ can be difficult to diagnose simply because of its varying symptoms; however, there are some more definitive and telltale signs that can help you know if you have TMJ and could benefit from professional TMJ treatment.

To help you identify your TMJ symptoms, we invite you to review the symptoms and videos below. If you experience any of the following symptoms, please reach out to our doctor at TMJ Therapy, Dr. Carl McMillan, and schedule your consultation.

Your jaw is made up of a series of joints, hinges, muscles, and ligaments that help you open and close your jaw, as well as move it from side to side. However, when a jaw is misaligned, overworked, or damaged, the joint and muscles can fail to work properly and limit the jaw’s movement. When these conditions are severe, the TMJ joint can “lock” into place, making a patient unable to move their jaw. A locked jaw can be painful and can last a few minutes or longer. In some cases, you may be able to realign your jaw on your own; other times, you may require professional help, which sometimes may even require surgery. If you experience a locked jaw, you may have TMJ. Come visit us today to learn more.

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of TMJ, and while they can be caused by several factors, doctors have proven a link between TMJ disorder and headaches. TMJ disorder occurs when there is dysfunction between the jaw joint and the muscles. This causes the muscles to become overworked and tense, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including headaches. If you experience frequent jaw pain and subsequent headaches, we invite you to come visit TMJ Therapy for your TMJ treatment.

Your jaw joint, or TMJ, connects to your skull just in front of the ear. When there is any sort of dysfunction or misalignment within the jaw joint and its muscles, it can carry the discomfort into the ear canal. Ear pain caused by TMJ can vary; some patient experience sharp pain while others have a constant, dull irritation. In most cases, however, patients experience ear pain when moving their jaw, such as when they eat, talk, or yawn. While the jaw joint connects just in front of the ear, the pain felt can spread to the temple, cheek, neck, or lower jaw and teeth. If you experience frequent ear pain when moving your jaw, come visit Dr. McMillan for your consultation and TMJ treatment.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, or any other symptoms of TMJ, we invite you to contact our office and schedule your consultation with our doctor. We want to help alleviate your discomfort and restore your jaw’s full health and proper function.