TMJ Dysunction
Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects your lower jaw to the side of your head. TMJ syndrome, or TMJ disorder (also called TMD), affects more than 10 million Americans.
This joint can be felt by placing your fingers in front of your ears and opening your mouth. Without this joint, you wouldn’t be able to speak, chew or yawn. The muscles around the jaw joint control its movement, which involves a hinge and sliding motion. This motion contributes to the TMJ being considered one of the body’s most complex joints.
The Cause of TMJ Pain
If either TMJ on each side of your jaw is broken or hurt, it results in TMJ syndrome/TMD. The causes include
- Arthritis
- Jaw injury
- The disc wearing away or moving out of alignment
- Trauma
In some cases, there are no clear causes of TMJ. Science has been unable to uncover the source of it. It is known that TMJ occurs more commonly in women, leading scientists to look for a link between female hormones and TMJ.
The Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
The conditions that you may experience if you have TMJ disorder include pain in the head, neck, face and ear, headaches, a “locked” jaw and problems with biting. You may find it difficult to eat or talk normally due to the pain and stiffness in your jaw. Speaking can be difficult when you are unable to move your jaws as you should.
How Our Laser Addresses Your TMJ
Our Class IV laser boosts your healing, reduces your pain and diminishes the inflammation present. Your pain is reduced by causing fewer neuronal impulses and increasing the amount of endorphins released. Your inflammation is addressed by reducing inflammatory factors and dilating lymphatics that ease your edema. Your healing is enhanced thanks to greater blood flow, releasing cytokines and increasing collagen production and fibroblast activity.
