Causes of TMD

There are many causes for TMD such as:

1. Unbalanced occlusion or 'Bad Bite.'
2. Stress (emotional, occupational, or school-related).
3. Trauma or injury (this could have been an injury as obvious as a blow to the jaw with a fist or something as subtle as a whiplash injury with direct trauma to the head or jaw).
4. Bruxism or teeth grinding.

A 'Bad Bite' can occur as a result of any of the following:

1. Teeth that are missing.
2. Teeth that are crowded or 'crooked'.
3. Teeth that have been worn down.
4. Dentures that are unbalanced.

TMD can be caused by a variety of factors, including an unbalanced occlusion or 'Bad Bite,' which can result in muscular spasms, stress, and pain. Muscle strain and a misaligned TMJ may cause the disc to slip out of place, resulting in pain. If the disc is displaced for an extended period of time, the bones begin to rub against one another, causing damage to the bone; this is termed Osteoarthritis.