TMD
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
What is TMD?
TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a painful and debilitating neuromuscular disorder which involves misalignment of your bite. It is often misdiagnosed and, therefore, left untreated, leading to years of chronic pain and dental damage.
To learn more please read our TMD page.
What are some symptoms of TMD?
TMD symptoms can affect your whole body and often do not appear to be dental related. This is why the condition often goes undiagnosed. Common symptoms include:
- Migraines
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Tingling and numbness in the hands and fingers
- Ringing ears
- Tooth grinding
- Chipped teeth
- Dental restorations that fail
- Poor posture
- Depression
To learn more please read our TMD Symptoms and Diagnosis page.
Can TMD be cured?
Yes. The beauty of TMD treatment is that you can start to experience relief from the symptoms right away. Over time, correction can be made permanent.
To learn more please read our TMD Treatment page.
What causes TMD?
TMD has many causes or triggers. Often the symptoms will start after some kind of trauma, such as a car accident. Other causes include:
- Improper or poorly fitting dental work
- Personal habits such as nail biting or pencil chewing
- Health care procedures which strain the jaw, such as intubation during surgery
- Health conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, and mitral valve prolapse
- Poor posture
Sometimes the cause is never determined, but that does not mean that you cannot get relief.
My symptoms aren’t that bad. Can I put off treatment?
The symptoms of TMD can be severe, but they are not the only important problem. Left untreated, TMD can destroy your teeth and jaw, eventually causing tooth loss and even deterioration of your jaw bone. The longer you put off treatment the more extensive dental work you will require.
Is TMD fatal?
Not directly, but the secondary problems caused by TMD can be dangerous. Besides dental damage, untreated TMD can lead to:
- Dependence on pain killers
- Severe depression
- Sleep deprivation
- Malnutrition
You don’t have to live with the symptoms of TMD. Neuromuscular Dentistry can provide solutions and immediate relief from TMD pain. If you believe that your symptoms are caused by TMD, please contact our TMD specialists today. We will be happy to schedule your free TMD visit with Dr. Quigless so you can get to the bottom of the problem before the pain and dental damage gets worse.
(314) 244-3751
Contact Us
8083 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
|
