The temporomandibular joints, called TMJ, are the joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth. Located on each side of the head, your TMJ work together when you chew, speak or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. They also control the lower jaw, called the mandible as it moves forward, backward and side to side.
Each TMJ has a disc between the ball and socket. The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may very well result in a painful TMJ disorder (TMD).
Causes of TMD
There are several TMJ disorders, any one of which can result from multiple causes.
One cause may be though trauma to the jaw or jaw joint – such as a jolting injury to the head, face or neck – sometimes plays a role in TMD, in most instances the cause is unknown.
The most common factor contributing to TMD is a bite problem affecting the joint itself. Interferences in the structure of individual teeth may force displacement of the lower jaw, leading the muscles to reposition the joints out of their sockets to force the upper and lower teeth to fit together.
Another possible cause is the wear and tear on the teeth caused by aging, teeth grinding and clenching, or activities outside of normal function – called parafunction – may cause uneven surfaces on the teeth, leading to interferences in the bite and improper jaw closure.
It is estimated that more than 10 million Americans suffer from TMD. Additionally, the TMJ Association predicts that as much as 65 to 85 percent of the U.S. population will experience some type of TMD symptom in their lifetime. This means that almost everyone will have suffered from TMD at some point in their lives.
It is also noted that TMD affects twice as many women as men, and is most prevalent among people between the ages of 20 and 40.
Treatment for TMD in Augusta GA
If you live in Augusta GA and suffer from TMJ disorder, you can contact our friendly staff at Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic for a complimentary and private consultation. With our jaw-specific treatments, we have significantly helped a range of TMD sufferers with their condition.
Additionally, we are one of only a handful of chiropractors in the state of Georgia to be awarded the Advanced-Proficiency designation by the highly respected Activator International organization. Through our yearly testing and re-certifications, we are able to specifically treat the jaw directly using the most scientifically researched instrument currently available on the market for chiropractors. By choosing to undergo these optional examinations every year, we can then assure our patients that we are providing not only the most up-to-date treatments, buy also treatments that can be safely performed.
Many of our patients are actually referred by their dentists, and were then able to resolve their TMD through our specific treatments. If you would like to get started today with a complimentary consultation, you can call our friendly office at (706) 814-5053 or conveniently schedule your appointment online. We look forward to seeing if our jaw-specific treatments are the right fit for you and your TMJ condition.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
Augusta GA Chiropractor Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic provides customized treatments to the Augusta GA, Martinez GA, and Evans GA communities. Visit our main website at www.georgia-clinic.com for a chiropractor in Augusta GA.
Choose several options to schedule your appointment: call (706) 814-5053 or use our online form.