Can TMJ Issues Be Detected Prior to You Suffering from Pain?

Posted on 12/10/2018 by Alyssa O'Steen

If you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, usually called TMJ or TMJ disorder, you likely know how painful it can be. This disorder can be caused by a number of different things, many of which do lead to pain in the jaw, the joint, or your face.

Sometimes it only hurts when you chew or talk for long periods of time, while for others it may hurt more often. While pain in the TMJ is what often sends people to us, there are several other signs that could indicate you have a TMJ issue.

Clicking or Popping

If you've noticed that your jaw makes a strange popping, clicking, or grating sound when you move it, it can be a clear indication of TMJ issues. If it's loud enough that other people hear it, you definitely need to come see us to discuss it.

These noises are not common and only occur when the disc in the joint is not in the correct position. The good news is that hearing this noise doesn't necessarily mean you're going to develop pain in the joint.

Tinnitus

While most people expect TMJ issues to be connected to the jaw or the mouth, the ears can also be affected. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can indicate a TMJ issue. This is one case where the symptom could mean a number of things. If you've been to a doctor for tinnitus and they can't discover the cause, it may have to do with TMJ.

You Have Muscle Spasms

The muscles in your face may occasionally spasm if your jaw isn't in the correct position. This can actually make it hard to swallow in some cases. While these spasms may be painful, they often start out fairly small and don't cause any pain.

If you've had any of these symptoms or have pain in your jaw, contact us to set up an appointment. The earlier we diagnose TMJ disorder, the sooner we can make you pain-free or prevent pain from starting.

Dr. Shillingburg and the amazing team at DFW Oral Surgeons are proud to provide exceptional care, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and many other services to residents in and around Argyle, Bartonville, Highland Village, Lantana, Double Oak, South Denton, Denton County, and surrounding areas. Not only has Dr. Shillingburg won best Oral Surgeon of Denton County in 2017 and 2018. He has over 10 years of experience treating patients in his state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center in Flower Mound, TX.

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John C. Shillingburg, DDS

Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dr. John Shillingburg is proud to be a native Texan. After graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science and from the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio with a doctorate degree in dental science, Dr. Shillingburg completed a general dentistry residency at Fort Carson in Colorado. Read more.

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