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Temporomandibular
joint disease (TMJ)
What is it?
Temporomandibular
joint disease
A painful condition affecting the area where the lower jaw connects to
the sides of the skull which impairs function and sensation in the face
and jaw, which may spread to the ears, neck, and shoulders.
Number
of TMJ Sufferers:
More than 10 million people in the United States.
Profile
of TMJ Sufferers:
The majority, as high as 90 percent, of TMJ patients are women in their
childbearing years.
Symptoms:
- facial pain;
jaw joint pain; often in combination with neck, shoulder, back
pain and/or headaches
- popping,
grating or clicking sounds with movement of the jaw joint
- pain in
the joints of the face when opening or closing the mouth, yawning,
or chewing
- swelling
on the side of the face and/or mouth
- a bite
that feels uncomfortable, "off," or as if it is continually
changing
- limited
opening or inability to open the mouth comfortably
- deviation
of the jaw to one side
- the jaw
locking open or closed
- swallowing
difficulties
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Those with the symptoms
listed above often report additional ones as well, such as ringing in
the ears, ear pain, diminished hearing, dizziness or vertigo, and visual
disturbances. These symptoms may be a facet of TMJ disease or a different
disease process occurring simultaneously.
Hudson
Valley Neuromuscular Dentistry
Dr. Joseph Gulak, DDS
419 East Main Street
#302 Wisner Professional Building
Middletown, NY 10940
845-343-6231
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