TMD and Bruxism Treatment in Lake Oswego
Do you know the importance of the position of your teeth? Your occlusion, also called your bite, is the position of your jaw when your teeth are together. In the past, dentists based treatment decisions on the natural position of your bite, rather than attempting adjustments.
However, modern dentistry has shown us that a problematic jaw position can play a significant role in TMJ issues. As a neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Bowden takes every aspect of the jaw including teeth, joints, and muscles into consideration to offer specialized treatments for TMD. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, we approach every aspect of your care with whole-body wellness in mind, recognizing the deep connection between your occlusion and your overall health.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?
TMD refers to temporomandibular joint disorders. To understand TMD, Dr. Bowden believes it’s important to understand how the muscles in your jaw work.
The temporomandibular joints, the TMJ, are what connect your jaw to your skull. These joints work similarly to a ball and socket. The end of the joint, referred to as the condyle, works within the corresponding depression in the skull, called the fossa. Between these two structures lies the articular disk, a small, round piece of cartilage that connects and separates the joints, allowing you to perform tasks such as chewing, swallowing, speaking, and smiling.
Depending on how the muscles are holding the jaw, the articular disk may either move freely or become pinched, resisting the natural movement of the jaw until it’s released. This is what produces the signature clicking sound many patients with TMD are familiar with.
