About TMD

What is TMD?

The temperomandibular joint, abbreviated to TMJ, is located just in front of the ear.  When this joint is out of alignment it can cause pain and discomfort and potentially trigger a number of other health problems.  The misalignment of the TMJ joint is known as TMJ Disorder, which is also known as TMD.

What causes TMD?

The causes of TMD are just as diverse as the symptoms.  Some common causes are:

• grinding and clenching of teeth especially at night which results in the muscles going into spasm
• Traumatic injuries from accidents, sports injuries etc
• Arthritic conditions (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Missing teeth
• Badly shaped teeth and fillings
• Poor posture