TMJ/TMD Dentist

Serving Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, Arizona

TMJ Dentistry Questions & Answers

What is TMD?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also called TMD, is a neuromuscular disorder of the jaw, which can cause chronic pain, damage to your teeth, and symptoms throughout your body that do not appear to be dental in origin.

What causes TMD?

Some people develop TMD without ever knowing the cause. Common triggers include:

• Trauma, such as whiplash or sports injuries
• Bad oral habits, such as chewing ice or pencils and nail biting
• Certain health conditions including fibromyalgia, and arthritis
• Poor posture
• Medical procedures, such as intubation during surgery
• Ill fitting dental restorations and bad dental work

How do I know if I have TMD?

TMD symptoms can be elusive and include:

• Headaches or migraines
• Numbness or tingling in your hands and fingers
• Ringing or congested ears
• Clicking and popping jaw
• Limited jaw movement
• Facial pain
• Neck and back pain
• Depression
• Tooth grinding
• Unexplained tooth chipping

If you are experiencing TMD symptoms, you should see a neuromuscular dentist, such as TMJ / TMD dentist Dr. LeSueur or Dr. Dodaro, for TMD testing. You could be relieved of the symptoms in your first visit!

I had orthodontic treatment to correct my bite when I was a teenager. How can I have TMD now?

If the orthodontist or dentist who treated you was not trained in neuromuscular dentistry, the treatment may have actually created the problem. Even if the treatment brought your jaw into proper alignment at the time, other events, later in life may have triggered TMD. Many people do not experience TMD symptoms until after an event, such as a car accident, which does not involve direct dental trauma.

How long will TMD treatment take?

You will experience relief from symptoms as early as the testing phase! The length of time necessary to achieve full correction will depend on the nature and severity of the problem. Dr. LeSueur will explain everything in full detail before your treatment begins.

TMJ / TMD dentists Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro, serving Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and other East Valley Cities in Arizona, combine LVI training and state-of-the-art technology to bring you, and your entire family, the very best and healthiest cosmetic dentistry solutions. If you still have questions, please read our Neuromuscular Dentistry page, view our Cosmetic Dentistry Patient Gallery, and contact our TMJ dentists today to schedule your initial TMJ consultation.