Problems with tension, inflammation, and physical dysfunction in the temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw can have an increasingly negative effect on your overall quality of life. In many of these cases the causes of chronic TMJ disorder are related to varying factors, so it’s best to have the problem professionally diagnosed by an orthodontist like Dr. Carl McMillan. Common... read more »

Are you a victim of bruxism or the TMJ disorder? If so, then Dr. Carl McMillan must have recommended wearing a night guard. A night guard is a strong, protective appliance that keeps your teeth and jaw in tip-top shape while you sleep. This means the teeth grinding and jaw clenching habits you participate in won’t harm your smile any... read more »

TMJ is an acronym for “temporomandibular joints” -- those gorgeously intricate muscles and joints that permit your jawbone to shift so as to do things like chew, swallow and speak. A TMJ disorder (TMD) might occur after a jaw dislocation or as a side effect of arthritis, your jaw’s natural alignment, stress or teeth grinding. You’ll experience pain and tightness... read more »

If you have a tendency to grind your teeth while you sleep, you might be experiencing the effects of bruxism. Typically done unconsciously, whether because of stress, a sleeping disorder or an abnormal bite, teeth grinding (or bruxism) can ultimately cause problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without treatment. At TMJ Therapy in American Fork, Utah, we are here to help. Dr. Carl McMillan and our team... read more »

Although it seems simple to open and close our mouths, there is actually a complex process required for this ability to take place. Within our jaw, temporomandibular joints, also called TMJs, use ball and socket joints that work in unison with ligaments, muscles, discs, and bones to create a finely-tuned mechanism to accomplish the task. Due to the complex nature... read more »

TMJ disorder is a general term used to describe pain or other discomfort associated with the temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw. These joints are very sophisticated and, in many cases, have pain or inflammation issues arise from seemingly mundane sources. Your dentist, Dr. Carl McMillan, often starts addressing TMJ disorder symptoms with basic lifestyle modifications. Oftentimes, this includes eating... read more »

Most adults that grind their teeth do so as a result of stress. Chronic night grinding can pose multiple threats to your mouth. The unnatural forces exerted by grinding your teeth can cause your bite pattern to meet improperly and result in chips on one or more teeth. Even if the chip doesn’t give you pain the compromised surface is... read more »

Are you finding your jaw sore in the morning after grinding your teeth at night? If this is something you are currently experiencing, it can pose a significant number of threats to your long-term oral health. The unnatural tension from constant teeth grinding can cause inflammation and soreness in the muscles and ligaments of your temporomandibular joints that hinge your... read more »

The joints that hinge your jaw are a somewhat complex system that allows them to perform the sophisticated movements of biting, chewing and grinding of your food thanks to a series of muscles, tendons, and ligaments working with the jaw. This also allows your lower jaw to slip and to apply grinding force. However, there are times when mechanical injury or... read more »

Temporomandibular joints, more commonly known as TMJ are the joints that hinge your jaw, allowing you to open and close your mouth, chew you food and speak. The two ball and socket joints are rather sophisticated. They comprise a series of muscles, ligaments and a disk of cartilage. This allows you to chew and grind your food as well as... read more »