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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Many people experience pain while opening and closing their mouth. This could be a sign of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD.

What are Temporomandibular Joints?
Everyone has two temporomandibular joints which we use to open and close our mouths when eating, speaking, or swallowing.

London Ontario Dental Office - TMJ DisordersEach TMJ connects the jaw to the skull with a number of muscles and ligaments. The temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side and enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control the position and movement of the jaw.


TMD is a jaw joint that is not functioning correctly, and thus can cause pain or discomfort.

Common symptoms of TMD include:
  • Pain in the following muscle areas:
    Head, Face, Ear, Neck, Throat, Shoulder and Back, Behind the Eyes

  • Clicking, Grinding or Popping noises from your jaw

  • TMJ & TMD - London Ontario dentistDifficulty opening the mouth very wide

  • Swelling on the side of the face

  • Headaches, Toothaches, Neck aches

  • Dizziness, Earaches, and Hearing Problems

  • Difficulty closing teeth together

How do we diagnose and treat TMD?

At our office we will provide you with a thorough check up. We will examine your temporomandibular joints for pain and tenderness, and listen for popping or grating sounds during jaw movement. We may take a panoramic x-ray of your jaw and if required use other imaging technologies as well. These x-rays and images allow us to examine your entire jaw to make sure other problems aren’t causing the symptoms.

Pain and discomfort in your mouth or jaw is not normal and should be addressed as soon as it is noticed. If TMD is the cause, we will devise a treatment plan that is right for you in an effort to reduce the stress on the joint while aligning it more accurately and comfortably.

Dr. Louis Ong - 1160 Adelaide St. North - London, Ontario - N5Y 2N5     Phone: (519) 673-0031

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