TMJ Dentist
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in Studio City
Everyone has that one friend who can make their jaw click by opening their mouth really big, right? Kinda cool? Well- tell them to stop, because it’s weird, but also because it can cause long term damage to their temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ – this is your jaw joint. Some people can make it pop on demand, some people have an occasional click when they open or chew, and some people get a sore jaw that might feel like it wants to lock up sometimes – this is not good!TMJ issues can cause multiple other problems such as migraines, neck and shoulder tension, and even upper back pain.
Here at Dental Design Studio City, we can help diagnose temporomandibular joint dysfunction or temporomandibular disorder, also known as TMD. It can start as a painless click but may lead to a painful dysfunction that sometimes requires surgery. It can be caused by many things, such as:
- clenching and/or grinding (some people do this in their sleep and don’t even know it!)
- stress
- sports injuries, car accidents, bar fights
- poor sleeping habits
- poor pillow or mattress support
- and so many more
Find the button on this page to make an appointment for a consult and let’s find out if you need to stop popping your jaw at parties and start learning how to juggle to attract the attention you crave!
Frequently Asked Questions
That clicking comes from your temporomandibular joint, the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. An occasional click isn’t always a problem, but frequent popping, soreness, or a jaw that feels like it wants to lock up are signs the joint is under stress and worth having examined.
They can. TMJ dysfunction is linked to migraines, neck and shoulder tension, and even upper back pain. If you’ve been chasing headaches with no clear cause, your jaw joint is worth ruling out.
The usual suspects are clenching and grinding (lots of people do it in their sleep without knowing) and stress, but injuries from sports or car accidents show up too. Even a bad pillow or poor sleep position can contribute. Part of the exam is figuring out which of these applies to you.
Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. TMJ trouble often starts as a painless click and can slowly progress into painful dysfunction that in some cases ends up needing surgery. A quick consult now is a lot easier than dealing with a locked jaw later.