What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

What is TMJ Disorder?

Although were not always aware of it, some of us might feel a clicking or a popping in our jaws every now and then. If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel what is called the temporomandibular joint and its movement. This joint controls many jaw functions, like chewing. If the chewing muscles are causing you pain, then Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, may need to treat you for a possible temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder.

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain in the jaw joint, clicking of the jaw, ear pain, popping sounds in ears, headaches, stiff or sore jaw muscles, pain in the temple area and/or locking of the jaw. Many of these symptoms can often be associated with other health problems, so only a medical professional can tell you if it is due to a TMJ disorder. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short term methods to provide relief for pain symptoms, but Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, can provide you with a night guard to lessen the pressure on the joint itself.

If you have questions about TMJ disorders, please give us a call. To learn more about TMJ disorders visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.