All Coast Dental

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)


TMJ is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. The TMJ is necessary for tasks such as eating and speaking. At All Coast Dental, Drs. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. and Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. can provide a thorough examination of your TMJ. If your chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain, you may have a temporomandibular disorder or TMD.




Common symptoms of TMD are:



  • Pain when opening or closing the mouth 

  • Problems chewing

  • Jaw sticking open or shut

  • Ear pain and headaches

  • Clicking or popping when opening your mouth

  • Teeth grinding (bruxism)


Because these symptoms are often associated with other health problems, only a medical professional such as Drs. Boulos can give you an exact diagnosis. Out of all the symptoms, teeth grinding or bruxism is one of the most significant dental health problems. Prolonged grinding will wear the enamel off of teeth and expose the dentin. Dentin is softer, and thus more susceptible to decay and bacteria. Sleep Apnea and chronic pain are serious conditions that are also be caused by TMD.




For relieving your pain symptoms, talk to our staff to determine a treatment plan that’s best for you. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are good short term methods. A night guard can be worn during sleep to stop bruxism. In very rare cases surgery may be required for TMD.


If you have any questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD or are interested in other aspects of our services, feel free to contact All Coast Dental today. Located in Pacific Beach, CA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. or Dr. Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. Visit our website to schedule online, or call 858-270-4904.

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