A New Study Sheds Some Light on TMJD

TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a little understood but very common ailment that affects numerous people all over the world.

The world’s leading scientists are trying to figure out the cause of the disorder, which is usually characterized by pain that ranges from intense to mild, jaw locking, cracking and grinding, and difficulty closing and opening the mouth, particularly when a person is trying to chew and speak.

While TMJD has been officially recognized as a disorder by the medical community, it has been notoriously difficult to prevent and treat, primarily because doctors and scientists aren’t able to determine a single cause or source for the disorder.

However, an ambitious new study by University Of Maryland Dental School is currently underway.

Scientists and doctors have begun to collect important data from some 3,400 patients, including peripheral data which may ultimately guide scientists and doctors to the key for the treatment of TMJD.

TMJD will usually disappear on its own without treatment after a period of time, however, for some people it becomes a chronic lifelong condition.

In past years, surgeons have treated the disorder with various degrees of success by either shaving the jaw down near the abraded area or by grinding the teeth down that were affected by the jaw’s misalignment.

The study’s results have not yet been made public, however, the information that was taken from the participants with regard to their genetic and physiology background, psychological markers, demographics, and behavioral habits forms the basis for a reliable, large, database and holds great promise for shedding light on the disorder.

If you’re suffering from misalignment or jaw pain, you need to see your dentist right away. While all the answers aren’t known yet, your dentist can assess the issue and protect your teeth as well.