San Ramon Cosmetic Dentistry Blog | Sean Michael Anderson, D.D.S.

In my clinical experience, patients sometimes suffer with TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) for years before being properly diagnosed. Their pain may be disregarded because it has no apparent physical cause. It’s no wonder that TMD and depression commonly go hand-in-hand. Also, strong evidence suggests that chronic pain itself can lead to depression by altering chemicals in the brain.

Because TMD is a complex condition, many patients need more that one specialist to help them attain good health. Patients should work with a neuromuscular dentist, possibly a psychological counselor and sometimes a chiropractor or their family doctor. Many patients receive full pain relief their neuromuscular dentist, however. They are also relieved to know that an actual condition is causing their pain.

I can help you find out if TMD is the cause of your pain and depression. To do so, I’ll typically need to take the following steps:

• Determine if your jaw is misaligned by using computerized tracking tools that measure jaw movement, resting state, and closure path
  
• Measure the relationship of your jaw to your skull to note any structural imbalances.
  
• Use sonography to record jaw joint sounds that may be abnormal
  
• Take x-rays of the jaw to help evaluate the positioning of the joint
  

If you live in the San Ramon, California area (or a surrounding area), please contact the office to make an appointment with Dr. Sean Anderson today.