TMJ Disorder causes headaches on the side of your head over your temples. The pain can be on one or both sides and is often mis-diagnosed as migraine. Most TMJ patients are women and TMJ pain can be especially bad before menstruation. Because of the associated tooth grinding the teeth can become sensitive to hot and cold and may notch at the gum lines. These notches are called abfraction and are often mistaken for brushing too hard. The grinding makes the chewing muscles tender and sore to the touch. The muscles shorten from the pain which results in limited opening. The patient can't open easily to bite a sandwich and chewing tires the patient out.
TMJ Disorder patients may hold their heads unusually as their bodies protect the injured jaw joints. This can cause neck aches and postural problems. It's common for patients with head and neck pain to have a forward head posture which can result in a tingling or coldness at the tips the fingers. The dislocation of the jaw joints can also cause ringing in the ear or decreased hearing. Problems with the ears, such as TMJ tinnitis and TMJ hearing loss, are not uncommon and often disappear after a few weeks of TMJ treatment.
TMJ Disorder symptoms often irritate the patient so much that the patient doesn't sleep well. However, a sufferer can have all or just some of the TMJ signs and TMJ symptoms. Sometimes the jaw joints will click or get locked out. At times there's ringing in the ears or TMJ ear pain. It's common for Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors to see these patients because they often have ear pain originating from the TMJs. However, most ENT physicians do not refer to dentists especially since medical insurance does not cover dental care. This causes many patients to bounce around from doctor to doctor until they see a TMJ dentist.
Dr. Padolsky and the dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Dr. P enjoys treating patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and has been offering this care since 1982. He offers several types of TMJ treatment and does not subscribe to just one treatment philosophy. Patients should not have to suffer with this problem when there are treatment options available. If you would like a consultion with our TMJ Dentist, Dr. Padolsky about TMJ Disorder, call 404-874-7428 for an appointment.