What to Know About the TMJ Wichita KS

by | Dec 24, 2015 | Dentistry

Part of having enhanced oral health is having a dentist look at all parts of the mouth. This includes the temporomandibular joint. Because a dentist will likely test this joint at some point during dental care, it’s helpful to know more about it. The following information will give more insight into this “ball and socket” joint and the testing used to inspect it.

The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone, or mandible, to the skull. This hinge joint is actually two joints in one. Each joint is on one side of the head. The jawbone connects these two joints. Both joints move simultaneously because they are joined together midline. However, each joint can differ from the other in size and shape. Both joints can even be dissimilar in function. This means that a person can have a problem in one joint but have the symptoms of the problem manifest in the other joint.

Tooth placement can factor heavily into the way the TMJ Wichita KS works. When teeth are not in proper position, the muscles that control this joint can spasm and cause a person great pain. Also, the disc located between the ball and socket can become displaced since it’s not actually a part of the jaw joint. This can also result in pain when it occurs.

When a dentist is performing an inspection of a patient’s mouth, the TMJ Wichita KS will likely be tested. For this test, a dentist will ask a person to open his mouth all the way. A patient will then be asked to move the lower jaw from side to side all the way. The dentist may have a patient partially close his mouth and do this as well. X-rays and other clinical tests can be done to view the internal parts of the jaw joint.

By testing the temporomandibular joint, a dentist can detect the presence of disorders and help heal them. This will enable a person to correctly talk, speak, and drink. Proper dental care should be performed on a regular basis to keep the jaw joint and other parts of the mouth healthy. For information on dental services, please talk to a professional at East Wichita Dentist. This practice can handle many services including pediatric dentistry and sedation dentistry.

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