About 15 percent of the population suffers from TMJD, temporomandibular joint disorder, an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect the area in and around the temporomandibular joint. These two large ball-and-socket joints connect the jaw to the skull on both sides of the head. When they are out of joint, they can cause a series of problems, including ringing in the ears, dizziness, headaches, chronic fatigue, locking of the jaw, toothaches, pain or tenderness when chewing, and more.

Not surprisingly, more dentists are devoting a significant portion of their practice to treating patients with TMJD. For most patients, treatment consists of an orthotic appliance worn continuously for several months, as well as physical therapy and muscle relaxers. The appliance realigns the bite 2 to 4 mm forward from its pretreatment state, forcing the jaw to rest and function in its normally designed pain-free relationship with the upper jaw.

Most experts agree that less invasive types of treatment should be exhausted before turning to surgery. Few dentists focus their practice on this condition, and patients looking for dental treatment of the TMJD should find someone specially qualified.