TMD Clinic

Temporomandibular Disease (TMD) clinic is located within the Interstate Medical Office Central. Clinic hours: 8 am – 5 pm.

What are temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are problems with jaw movement and pain in and around the jaw joints. This can cause pain when you talk, chew, swallow, yawn, or do other movements with your mouth or jaw. TMDs are also called TMJ or TM problems.

What causes them?

TMDs are often caused by muscle tension. Clenching or grinding your teeth can tire the jaw muscles, leading to muscle spasms, tissue damage, pain, and sore muscles. A TMD can also start with an injury to the jaw joint or a joint disease like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

TMDs can affect the jaw and jaw joint as well as muscles in the face, shoulder, head, and neck. Common symptoms include joint pain in the face, muscle pain in the face, earaches, headaches, joint sounds, trouble with fully opening the mouth, and the jaw locking.

How are they diagnosed?

Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may also be done. These tests can help check for bone or soft tissue problems related to symptoms of a TMD.

How are TMDs treated?

The focus of TMD treatment is to ease pain in the jaw joint and restore normal jaw movement. Initial treatment involves over-the-counter pain medicine and self-care at home. Splints can help reduce teeth grinding and clenching. Your doctor may suggest other treatments as well. Surgery isn’t usually done to treat TMDs.