Could you have a serious neuromuscular disorder- and not even know it? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Even now, there could be hundreds of people in Largo living with TMJ. Known to the medical and neuromuscular dentistry community as Temporomandibular disorders, TMJ includes a range of disorders that affect the joints and muscles which connect the jaw to the skull. The joints, muscles, bones, nerves, and ligaments that control the jaw form a complex and delicately balanced system. TMJ disorders arise when this system becomes imbalanced as a result of trauma to the head and jaw area, misalignment of the teeth and jaw, or repetitive movements such as teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or overenthusiastic chewing. So how come you’ve never heard of TMJ disorders, and how could you have one and not even know it? Because the systems of each disorder are so diverse, they are easily mistaken and misdiagnosed as a different health problem entirely.
The Curious Systems of TMJ
Every day, the Largo neuromuscular dentistry industry deals with patients who are surprised by the fact that they have a TMJ. This is because most people who have a TMJ have been previously misdiagnosed with another health issue and has been living under that assumption for years. Migraine headaches are a prime example of a common TMJ symptom that is mistreated. Instead of determining if the underlying cause of the migraines is a TMJ disorder, many doctors simply treat them as a mysterious head pain and prescribe medication. Of course, not all migraines are caused by TMJ’s, but a good percentage are, and permanent relief is simply a matter of understanding and treating the underlying cause. Other possible symptoms include pain in the ears, neck, jawbone, and jaw joints, trouble with speaking or chewing, swelling of the tongue, facial muscle pain and spasms, dizziness, and jaw clicking.
TMJ Treatment
If you have any combination of the symptoms described, relief could be just an appointment away. Qualified neuromuscular dentists such as Dr. Carl Panzarella are adept at diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, and the debilitating problems they cause. You don’t have to live with mystery symptoms anymore- find out if you’ve got a TMJ disorder, and start getting treatment today.




