What is TMJ?

TMJ, also know as TMD is a jaw dysfunction involving the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. This joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. TMJ / TMD can lead to acute to major jaw pain and discomfort.

The full term for TMJ / TMD is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and can often be the cause of migraines and even sleep apnea.

How to detect the TMJ?

The treatment of TMJ Dysfunction is given a strong emphasis at McCloy Dental. We recognise the need for increased treatment and diagnosis of TMJ to help patients resolve and eliminate this disorder.

To know for sure, visiting a TMJ dental clinic is a great place to start. Often patients have gone through other treatments in search for relief and an explanation.

Common Causes of TMJ?

Again, visiting a TMJ dental clinic is strongly encouraged because every patience is different.

Having said this, stress is often found to be a significant contributor in the development of TMD / TMJ. Anxiety and stress and consciously and even subconsciously result in clenched jaws and tight shoulders. This compresses the jaw points stretching and aggravating the ligaments in the rear of your jaw.

Jaw dislocation can also be experienced by those with TMJ. This can be evidenced in a popping sound when opening your mouth widely.

TMD and TMJ is more common in women. TMD/ TMJ Treatment is given a strong emphasis within McCloy Dental. We have recognised the need for increased treatment and diagnosis of TMD/ TMJ conditions and aspire to help patients resolve and eliminate this disorder.

TMJ Treatment Options

Effective treatment for TMJ combines knowledge of the mouth, teeth, jaw, oral and facial tissues. At the McCloy Dental TMJ Dental Clinic we provide several possible treatments including using a plastic bite appliance or restorative treatment in extreme cases. Each TMJ treatment plan is designed for the patient’s individual needs.