Drs. Golovan & Golovan
Norman Golovan D.D.S. 
Bruce Golovan D.M.D.
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
28790 Chagrin Blvd. #300
Woodmere Village, OH 44122
(216) 591-0022
Designing Healthy and Beautiful Smiles!

Call for an appointment today!
(216) 591-0022

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Dysfunction
Firstly, TMJ stand for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull.  Every human has one of these joints on each side of the head.  Anything that you do to move your jaw requires these joints to function properly. That means you can’t eat, talk, or even smile and frown without functioning TMJ.

This then leads to a frequently asked question, what is TMJ disorder? This is a disorder that develops when the Temporomandibular joints stop functioning as they naturally should. It can happen on both sides to both joints in some people while others are only affected on one side of the head.
What are the symptoms of TMJ ?
- Ear pain that doesn’t go away easily
- Stiff jaw
- Sore sensation or pain the jaw
- Problems opening and shutting the mouth
- Trouble eating
- Popping or clicking noises when the jaw is moved
- Consistent headaches
- General ache through the ear, jaw, or side of the head
- Ear pain that doesn’t go away easily
- Stiff jaw
- Sore sensation or pain the jaw
- Problems opening and shutting the mouth
- Trouble eating
- Popping or clicking noises when the jaw is moved
- Consistent headaches
- General ache through the ear, jaw, or side of the head
Not everyone who suffers from TMJ disorder will experience all of these TMJ symptoms.  That’s what makes answering the question “what is TMJ of the jaw?” so difficult to answer.  Not everyone feels the same thing when they suffer from this type of disorder so some may go long periods of time without realizing they have this disorder.  If you are experiencing these symptoms, please let us know and we will assist you.
What causes TMJ?
- Overuse or strain of the jaw
- Injury during sports or physical activity
- Mistakes during dental procedures
- Mental distress or trauma
- The least understood cause is this last one. How mental trauma can affect these joints of the jaw is a phenomenon many don’t get, but it is believed to be a legitimate cause of TMJ.
What should I do if I suspect that I may have TMJ?
You can either contact your physician or dentist.  We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have and evaluate you for this issue.  If you do suspect that you have this condition, try to receive help as soon as possible, it may begin to wear the enamel of your teeth as well as give you terrible headaches.  

If  you appear to have this condition, in our office we are able to make a custom night guard to help prevent grinding.  Impressions will be taken of your teeth to ensure a perfect fit.  The dentist will then create a strong and sturdy guard to fit in  your mouth comfortably and help prevent any further grinding or damage to your teeth.
 
If you believe that you do have TMJ and have made an appointment in our office, please print out our TMJ History form and fill it out before your appointment.
Document
TMJ PATIENT HISTORY FORM