TMJ Treatments

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint formed where the lower part of the skull meets the upper portion of the lower jaw. This joint permits the opening, closing and sideward movement of the jaw. Patients with TMJ disorder experience both joint and muscle problems. Finding out the cause of the TMJ problem is important because the cause guides the treatment. Causes can be many such as an improper bite, injury to teeth, grinding teeth, displacement or dislocation of the disk that is located between the jawbone and the fossa, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or a hole or perforation in the disk. Depending on the severity of the disorder, a nonsurgical or surgical approach may be warranted. We also have a specialist we can refer you to for more complicated TMJ problems.