Useful TMJ San Pedro Patient Education Guidelines

TMJ is the abbreviation for Temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the jaw joint. Human

bodies have two TMJs and are found in front of two ears. A basic knowledge of the TMJ and

related topics can be extremely helpful for TMJ San Pedro patients suffering from different

complications pertaining to this joint.

Mandible or the lower jaw, and the temporal bone of the skull are the two components of the

Temporomandibular joint. These joints move whenever we swallow something, talk, or chew.

Human knee and shoulder are joints of socket and ball type. On the contrary, TMJ allows the

distribution of applied pressure throughout the joint because of its sliding nature. There is also a

complex disc bone made of cartilage between the two bones. This disc is attached to muscles

and moves with the movement of the Temporomandibular joint.

Correct diagnosis of TMJ Disorder is often the biggest challenge for the TMJ specialists

because identification of the exact problem area is never easy. An injury to the trigeminal nerve

branch connected to the TMJ can easily be confused with a case of neuralgia because both of

them have almost same symptoms. A large number of ligaments hold together the two bones of

TMJ in their place. A damage to these ligaments results in dislocation of the lower jaw, the disc,

or both of them.

Abnormal jaw movement or TMJ pain can also be caused due to an injury to muscles that are

connected to the bones. Accurate determination of the problem source by careful diagnosis is

the most crucial part of treatment for a problematic TMJ.

TMJ Disorder is a condition where this complex system of bones, muscles, and joints fails to

function together in harmony. This type of disorder can be caused by teeth grinding, whiplash,

poor posture, bad bite or trauma. You may experience one or more of symptoms like difficulty in

swallowing, headache, neck pain, teeth grinding, pain while chewing, jaw locking, etc. if you

have a dysfunctional TMJ. Immediately contact an experienced TMJ San Pedro specialist if you

face any of these problems.

Evaluation and identification of hard tissues is generally done by using CT scans and X-rays.

Electromyography, Joint Vibration Analysis, and MRIs are done for the evaluation of the soft

tissues. Modern technology is widely used by the TMJ San Pedro experts to check the stage of

TMJ. Jaw Trackers are also used for the documentation of jaw movements. The physical

examinations for TMJ related complications include postural, cranial, medical, neurological, and

TMJ examination.