Living with TMJ pain and disorders (TMD) can ripple across all facets of your health and well-being. It's not just about a clicking jaw; it's about how a misaligned bite can cause headaches, how tension can radiate to your neck, or even how TMD can disrupt sleep and daily life. 
TMJ vs. TMD: Understanding the Difference
While TMJ refers to the joint itself, TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorders—conditions that impair the joint's function and cause pain. Recognizing TMD involves being aware of symptoms such as:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint
- Aching pain in and around the ear
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Facial pain, headaches, and neck aches
- Jaw locked open or closed
- Dental damage from grinding or clenching
Diagnosing and Treating TMD
At Dr. Klavy’s office, we begin with a comprehensive diagnosis, combining a physical evaluation with state-of-the-art x-rays and joint testing to understand the root causes of your discomfort. Dr. Klavy also considers lifestyle factors contributing to your TMD, such as diet, stress levels, and daily habits.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for treating TMD. Your condition is as unique as your smile, and your treatment plan is crafted with care to reduce symptoms and restore normal jaw function. Strategies vary, but your personalized care plan might include:
- Custom-fitted night guards to prevent grinding and clenching and take stress off the TMJs
- Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles
- Diet and lifestyle modifications to alleviate stress on the jaw joints
- BOTOX® injections relax muscles responsible for grinding and clenching and relieve jaw tension and headaches.