TMJ - What's All The Fuss?

Do you have a hard time fully opening your mouth, or hear pops or clicks when you move your jaw?  Do you have headaches or other pain due to clenching your jaw?  You just might have temporomandibular joint problems…better known as TMJ disorder.

What exactly is TMJ?

The American Dental Association (ADA) considers the temporomandibular one of the most complex joints in the body. Comprised of numerous muscles, ligaments and bones; the joint functions to open and close the mouth and allow speech and chewing. In normal use, it gives the jaw the ability to move up and down and operate normally.  The joint itself is composed of a disc between a ball and socket, and it is the disc that cushions the forces on the joint.  When there is any condition that prevents these components from working together properly; TMJ disorder may occur.

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• A painful or tender face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear, most noticeably when chewing, speaking or opening the mouth wide

• Inability to fully open the mouth

• Jaws stuck or locked in an open or closed position

• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth.  There may or may not be pain associated with the sounds.

• Difficulty chewing or an uncomfortable bite. The upper and lower teeth may not feel fitted together properly

• Swelling on the sides of the face – the swelling may be isolated to one side, or could be present on both sides of the face

• Dizziness, earaches or hearing problems, including ringing in the ears. Possible upper shoulder pain

What causes TMJ disorders?

Often the pain may be from a trauma to either the jaw or jaw joint such as an injury to the head, face or neck.  However, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), most of the time the cause is unknown.

A common cause may be a problem with the bite which affects the joint. Due to aging, grinding teeth or clenching your jaw, there may be wear and tear on the teeth.   Your jaw might feel sore after chewing gum or sticky foods for a long period of time. If the pain is severe, and over-the-counter pain relievers do not help or lasts longer than a few weeks, please call our office.

TMJ may be also be a result of arthritis, a low-level infection or auto-immune diseases.  The AGD also states that stress may cause you to clench or grind your teeth resulting in pain in your jaw.

Diagnosis of TMJ

The correct diagnosis is paramount in being able to provide relief from painful TMJ. Currently there is not a widely accepted standard test to identify all the conditions; however, most tests are designed to eliminate other conditions as possible causes of the symptoms.  If facial pain is your primary symptom, then we need to rule out a sinus infection, migraines or even tooth decay. 

When you come to our office we will perform a thorough dental examination. We’ll review more than the health of your teeth; we also look for signs of oral cancer and discuss joint health, muscle tenderness and clicking or popping.  You need to be sure to describe any pain you may be currently experiencing or have experienced in the past.  We will also take X-Rays of your mouth to have a complete view of your teeth and bone structure; definitively determining whether there is a structural problem within the joint itself or if your teeth are not properly aligned.

Treatment of TMJ

There are generally two types of treatments – surgical and nonsurgical.  The majority of TMJ treatments do not require a surgical procedure.  Most of the nonsurgical treatments will help relieve the pain and improve function, but not cure the problem. The most common treatment is a stabilization or bite splint.  This treatment uses a plastic guard which fits over the upper or lower teeth. The splinting assists in preventing clenching and grinding of the teeth. Most people wear the splint only at night, but in extreme cases, a patient might wear it all day except while eating.

One other treatment is occlusal reconstruction. By re-contouring the teeth and making them fit together more comfortably, our doctors can take the patient’s TMJ into a resting state and give them a measure of relief.

Physical therapy provides another natural way to find relief.  Through therapy, muscle relaxation and increased the range of motion are achieved.  The ADA also states yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and stress management can also help ease symptoms.  Even though stress does not cause TMJ, it can make it worse.

Often treatment involves taking anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and muscle relaxants may be prescribed.  By reducing the inflammation, the pain surrounding the joint will diminish.

Your pain or condition is not like anyone else; all of our treatments are custom designed to help the specific patient and symptom. Don’t suffer any longer! Give us a call for your personal consultation.