What is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder occurs when your jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments are injured or malfunctioning. TMJ is often associated with “malocclusion,” a misaligned bite. Malocclusion is a complex problem that means your teeth don’t line up when you close your mouth in a resting position.

You will hear and see TMJ, TMD, and TMJ disorder used interchangeably, but let’s make some subtle distinctions here. This is the joint itself, the temporomandibular joint. TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or even Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. Still, it all boils down to the same issue: a painful combination of what may seem like unrelated symptoms that will negatively impact your quality of life.

Many cases of TMJ symptoms go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because many healthcare professionals do not think of dysfunction of the jaw joints when someone presents with ear pain or ringing in the ears. These symptoms, as unrelated as they may seem at first glance, are very much connected if you have TMD.
ear pain or ringing in the ears. These symptoms, as unrelated as they may seem at first glance, are very much connected if you have TMD.

Some interesting notes: It’s estimated that approximately 12% of the population has TMJ disorder, it’s twice as common in women, and it’s most common between the ages of 20-40. The good news is that a TMJ dentist can help.

While there are other causes of TMJ, the above list shows the most common causes.

When you begin TMJ treatment at Barton Oaks Dental Group, you will get in-office TMJ treatment, and your TMJ dentist will also discuss some lifestyle changes you can make at home that will lessen your painful TMJ symptoms.

Through comprehensive occlusal management courses, Dr. Nemeth has gained refined treatment skills in temporomandibular joint dysfunction and restorative orthodontic/orthopedic treatment. Incorporating the proper neuromuscular principles allows her to determine the best tooth alignment, which will provide not only a more predictable and comfortable bite but a better posture overall. Whether you need to manage your temporomandibular pain or a comprehensive bite reconstruction, Dr. Nemeth uses careful quantitative analysis of occlusion and the interdependence of muscles, joints, and their relationship to the central nervous system to achieve the best restorative outcome.

NM—neuromuscular dentistry—is a combined understanding and advanced clinical application of skill sets required to effectively treat complex dental cases comprehensively. It is dentistry that focuses on body alignment, safe mandibular function, and accurate occlusion that results in optimal function and form based on objective measurements: J5 Myomonitor, K7 technology, computerized mandibular scanning (CMS), surface electromyography (EMG), electromyography (ESG).

GNM occlusion focuses on analyzing and determining a starting treatment position where jaw joints and muscles can adapt to a healing process, eliminating torque and tension in the masticatory and cervical systems. Most commonly, patients report a reduction of headaches, neck pain, and jaw joint relaxation.

If you’re tired of suffering from these painful symptoms, please contact our TMJ dentists at Barton Oaks Dental Group by calling (512) 327-6947. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our dental team members will reach out to answer questions or schedule a new patient evaluation for TMJ disorder.