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What is TMJ & TMD?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. These are the two joints located on each side of the face near the ears where lower jawbone joins the temporal bone of your skull. Together, these joints allow the mobility needed for biting, chewing, swallowing, speaking making facial expressions and even breathing.
TMD stands for temporomandibular dysfunction, referring to a group of conditions, often painful, that affect the jaw's joint and muscle performance. Some symptoms of TMD include:
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Clicking, popping sounds in the jaw joint
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Being unable to open mouth comfortably
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Jaw locking when trying to open mouth
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Ringing in the ears or decreased hearing
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A bite that feels uncomfortable or "off"
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Dizziness and vision problems
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Neck pain or stiffness
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Chronic headaches
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Facial Pain
What Causes TMD?
There is considerable evidence proving the uniformity of your bite, and teeth supporting ligaments and muscles of your jaw play factors in TMD. While the exact causes are unknown, there are still some other factors that are believed to contribute to TMD -- these factors include:
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Damage done to the joint by blows or other indirect impacts including strains, sprains and poor jaw posture.
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Muscle hyperactivity or any conditions that prevent muscles, bones, and joints from working together. Examples include arthritis, connective tissue disorders, or skeletal malformation.
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Increased stress, both physical and emotional, can cause TMD due to unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth.
How Do Dentists Treat TMD?
Once being diagnosed with an occlusion problem or tissue damage to the neck, head, or facial area - it is important to have an evaluation by a TMD Dentist. After an examination and x-ray of the head, neck, and facial region we are able to determine the pathological nature and extent of joint sounds and injuries.
Initial treatment starts with managing discomfort by reducing inflammation and addressing the primary source your of pain. Once pain is controlled and the jaw joint is stabilized - the teeth, muscles and joints all works together without strain now that the bite is balanced. Afterward we will discuss what is necessary to maintain your proper bite alignment, which very rarely involves surgical treatment.
Meet Our Doctors
Dr. Kamini Patel, DDS.
TMJ Dental Specialist serving Southwest Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Area
Dr. Kamini Patel loves dentistry almost as much as her patients. Her passion to practice knows no bounds, as she continues to push her limits even in 2026 by mastering all aspects of dentistry and going beyond to specialize in Airway-Focused treatments that include sleep-disordered breathing and TMJ dysfunction.
Patel graduated with Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1994 from the Ahmedabad, Gujarat University, India and is a certified General Dentist who specializes in treating TMJ and providing comfortable Sleep Apnea Solutions.
Dr. Ashalatha Kancharla, DDS.
TMJ Dental Specialist Serving Southwest Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Area
Dr. Kancharla has over 20 years of experience serving the community as a dentist in Southwest Philadelphia.
She graduated with a DDS degree from the prestigious New York College of Dentistry and is a member of good standing in both the American Dental Association and Pennsylvania Dental Association.
