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What is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction?
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is known by several names and acronyms such as Myofascial Pain Disorder (MPD), Craniomandibular Joint Disorder
, or most commonly just as "TMJ".
Basically it is caused when the improper relationship of the jaws causes the chronic degeneration of the temporomandibular joint resulting in pain, tension or spasms of the muscles of the head, neck and/or jaw.
TMD affects over 60 million people and is seen in teenagers as well as senior citizens and all ages in between. It can be manifested as severe, acute pain, chronic discomfort, or sometimes simply as grinding or clenching. Often patients suffering from
TMJ have seen several doctors and other health care providers such as physical therapists, chiropractors and massage therapists and found little improvement because the malocclusion has not been corrected.
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