Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Jennifer M.B. Schau DDS - TMJD Saginaw

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJD, TMD, or TMJ, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jawbone (mandible) to your skull. The head of the lower jawbone is called the condyle and it fits into the concavity of the temporal bone of the skull known as the glenoid fossa. The temporomandibular joint resembles a ball and socket with the round condyle being the ball and the glenoid fossa being the socket. In a healthy temporomandibular joint, a small piece of cartilage called an articular disc acts as a cushion between the two bones as they move. As you can imagine, these joints receive a tremendous amount of use throughout your lifetime and there exists a delicate working relationship between the tempormandibular joint, associated jaw muscles and ligaments, dental occlusion and the nervous system. Even a slight imbalance in this relationship can cause the inflammation behind TMJD and lead to many symptoms including significant facial, ear or neck pain, headaches, and difficulty swallowing just to name a few. This is why millions of people, adults and children alike, suffer from this disorder which typically starts out gradually and worsens over time without intervention.

Signs & Symptoms of TMJD

The signs of TMJD or TMD can manifest themselves is a wide array of symptoms in addition to the most common sign of popping or clicking in the TMJ. These include:

  • Headaches
  • Neck aches
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Stuffiness in the ears
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Ear pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Tingling of the fingers and hands
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Difficulty swallowing

Treatment for TMJD

While there is no single cure for TMJD, there are several different treatments that may reduce your symptoms dramatically if not completely. Since this disorder is progressive in nature, it is best to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schau immediately to find which of these treatments is best for you:

  • Reducing the harmful effects of clenching and grinding by wearing a custom appliance created by Dr. Schau known as a bite plate or bite splint. The appliance slips over the upper teeth and keeps them from grinding against the lower teeth.
  • Occlusal equilibration by Dr. Schau.
  • Orthodontics: Dr. Schau has both traditional braces and Invisalign® at her disposal.
  • Eleviating muscle spasms and pain by applying moist heat or taking medication such as muscle-relaxants, over-the-counter pain-relievers, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Learning relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw.
Dr. Schau is passionate about helping her patients overcome TMJD and has continued her training on this topic through educational seminars with North America's top experts on TMJD and is an active member of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.


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Dr. Schau was able to correctly diagnose an ongoing problem at my first visit. My previous dentist had ignored the symptoms and I had lost my trust in him. I have had nothing but positive experiences with Dr. Schau and her staff.

Martha L.

Saginaw, MI

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