Nearly 50% of Americans are estimated to have at least a mild form of TMJ, and 7% of those require orthodontic treatment to alleviate the condition. If you have experienced possible signs of TMJ, such as clicking or popping of the jaw when opening the mouth wide, especially if you also have frequent headaches, neck ache, shoulder pain, jaw catching, ringing in the ears, or dizziness, then you should consult an orthodontist who has experience treating TMJ.
It is common for patients to have TMJ for many months or years and not know what is wrong. Many have become convinced that they have "migraines" when they actually have a jaw misalignment that creates facial, jaw, neck, and shoulder pain. If you have experienced pain in any of these areas, and your doctor or dentist hasn't been able to identify what's wrong or relieve the pain, then you should ask for a referral to an orthodontist who specializes in treatment of TMJ.
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