Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)

Do you have persistent pain in the jaw, head, and neck? Do you also notice any noise whenever you open or close your mouth? It’ll be best to consult your Indiana top cosmetic dentist. This can be a sign of a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD. TMD is a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), jaw muscles and the surrounding nerves. Dr. David A. Smith of Really Smile dental clinic provides accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for this problem.

The diagnostic process involves a description of the symptoms combined with the review of your medical and oral health history. Then, it’s followed by a complete examination of your teeth, face, jaw, head, and neck. Expect him to:

• Check you face and jaw for pain and tenderness
• Examine your bite
• Listen to your jaw for any noise
• Measure how much you can open your mouth
• Investigate on the cause of the pain or grinding/clenching of your teeth
• Check for cavities, displaced teeth, uneven surface, high fillings in your teeth and misalignment of your bite, and other issues.

Additionally, your Indiana top cosmetic dentist will ask about you daily activities, any stress, or anxieties that you are experiencing.

Your dentist may also ask you to take imaging tests like Cone-Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT), Magnetic Resonance (MRI), and other similar procedures. The Cone Beam Scanner captures digital images of your teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, ears, nose, and throat. MRI provides details of the soft tissues of your joints including the discs and muscles.

TMD can be treated by non-surgical and surgical methods. Initially, your Indiana top cosmetic dentist uses non-surgical treatments like the use of bite splints, medications, and physical therapy to treat TMD.

If you want to know more information about TMD, please sit down for a consultation with your Indiana top cosmetic dentist. Make an appointment by calling (317) 682-0884.