TMJ/TMD Symptoms and Diagnosis
St. Louis, Missouri
TMD often goes undiagnosed because most people seek treatment from a doctor rather than from a dentist. Even most dentists do not recognize the symptoms or have the training and equipment to diagnose TMD. The TMJ symptoms themselves can seem unrelated to dental problems. Severe headaches, often confused with migraine headaches, are one of the most common symptoms.
TMD Symptoms
Most people experience a combination of some, but not all, of these symptoms:
- Headaches (often thought to be migraines)
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Sore mouth
- Facial pain
- Pain behind the eyes
- Jaw pain
- Pain and sensitivity in the teeth
- Earaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Congestion in the ears
- Popping or clicking sounds in the jaw
- Limited jaw movement or locking jaw
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw clenching
- Chips in some teeth
- Movement of teeth, leading to crowding or spreading
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness
- Depression
Diagnosis
Using his neuromuscular dentistry training and the K7 Evaluation System, neuromuscular dentist Dr. Quigless can precisely diagnose TMD. The TMD diagnostic process includes:
- Computerized mandibular scanning to record jaw movements (opening, closing, chewing and swallowing) as well as the jaw’s resting position
- Electromyography to measure the electrical activity in the jaw muscles
- Sonography to record jaw joint sounds
- X-rays for visual assessment
Dr. Quigless will study all this data and give you an understandable patient printout of it. As part of diagnosis, he will also use the TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator). He will attach several electrodes at strategic places on the head, face, neck and shoulders. The TENS unit will deliver mild electrical impulses which contract the muscles repeatedly, eventually causing them to relax. You can relax or doze off for 30 or 40 minutes during this process.
With the jaw muscles relaxed, Dr. Quigless now knows where the jaw’s correct position is. This could be the first time in years that your lower jaw has been relaxed, and you will find the pain gone. Now the goal of your treatment will be to make this relaxed position permanent.
TMD is a serious and debilitating neuromuscular condition and misdiagnosis causes many people a lifetime of chronic pain. Fortunately, you can start to experience relief immediately when you begin treatment. To learn more about TMD pain relief, please read our TMJ Treatment page and page on TMD Questions.
If you are experiencing any TMD symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact our TMD treatment office today to schedule your free TMJ treatment initial consultation. If you are located in Belleville, Brentwood, Saint Louis, or the surrounding area, relief from TMD pain is at your fingertips. We look forward to helping you reclaim your comfort and start enjoying life again.
(314) 244-3751
Contact Us
8083 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
|
