What’s In A Name? TMJ and TMD in Brentwood TN

Even among professionals, the terms TMJ and TMD are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not one and the same. At Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, we know the difference, and well aware of the best available treatments.

It’s easy enough to understand the confusion, because it begins with a real mouthful: the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is, in fact, the TMJ. When there’s an issue with your TMJ it’s a disorder, with a D, which is known as TMD.

TMD often comes down to the way in which a patient’s TMJ is aligned. The TMJ is a complex ball-and-socket joint in the jaw. It’s an evolutionary marvel that allows us to open and close the mouth, to talk, and to yawn.

The most common reasons the TMJ gets misaligned are crooked teeth or trauma. The misalignment – the TMD – can make ordinary things like chewing and talking painful. They can also cause other symptoms affecting your entire body.

Call it what you want, it isn’t any fun. At Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, we can help. Schedule a consultation with us and use whatever term you’re comfortable with; we’ll know what you mean. And we’ll know how to treat it.