TMJ

Every time you talk, yawn, laugh and chew food, you use your temporomandibular joints. These are the joints that hinge or connect your lower jaw to your skull, which are operated by facial muscles. If you develop problems with your temporomandibular joints then these are known as temporomandibular joint disorders, called TMJ disorder or TMD for short.

What Causes TMJ Disorder?

Problems with your jaw joints may develop due to issues with the actual joint parts, or because of problems with the muscles operating the joints. Sometimes your jaw joints may become injured, for example, from whiplash or because you suffer a heavy knock to your head or neck area. Jaw joint problems can develop because of arthritis in this joint. It’s possible for the soft disc or cushion between the ball-and-socket of the joint to move slightly. TMJ disorder is frequently caused by clenching or grinding your teeth, a condition called bruxism. This can place significant pressure on the jaw joint. Stress is another factor which can result in you to clenching your teeth, tightening your jaw and facial muscles.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

The most common symptom is noticing that you wake up with a painful and tender jaw. The pain may extend into your face, neck or shoulders. It’s not uncommon for TMJ disorder to cause headaches, hearing problems and dizziness. Some people may even develop tinnitus (ringing in the ears). TMJ disorder can cause problems when you try to speak or eat, and you may find that your jaws become stuck in an open or closed position. When you open or move your jaws, your jaw joints may make a grating, clicking or popping sound, especially when you try to chew but this might not necessarily hurt. Problems with your jaw joints can also affect the way your teeth occlude or bite together. You might find you have trouble chewing properly and that it has become uncomfortable to bite or chew. TMJ disorder may affect one side or both sides of your face and this condition is more common amongst people aged between 20 and 40.

How Can TMJ Disorder Affect Oral Health?

Often the symptoms of TMD are relatively mild and the problem may resolve itself without treatment. However, in some people, the jaw joints can be quite painful, and the symptoms are long-lasting and quite debilitating. Frequently feeling pain can affect your overall well-being. When this problem is caused by bruxism, it can cause enormous damage to the teeth, gums and the bone surrounding your teeth, as well as your jaw joints. If you are under considerable stress that has triggered bruxism, then you are more likely to be in the habit of clenching and grinding your teeth. This can cause muscle spasms and pain due to sore muscles, which may lead to further muscle spasms.

How to Get a Diagnosis of TMJ Disorder?

The easiest way is to make an appointment to see our prosthodontist, Dr. Christopher Sasik, here at Metropolitan Prosthodontics. Dr. Sasik will gently examine your jaw joints and will ask you to open and close your mouth, so he can check your bite and he will listen for any grating or popping sounds as you move your jaw joints. Your facial muscles will be carefully checked for any signs of tenderness or inflammation, and it may be necessary to take digital dental x-rays or more advanced diagnostics, for example, a cone beam CT scan. These diagnostic tests provide detailed information about your jaw joints, showing if the joints are in the correct position or if they are damaged in any way.

How Is It Treated?

It helps if you can relieve any stress being placed on your jaw joints and one way to do this is to have a custom-made night splint which might also hear being called a bite plate. Dr. Sasik can design and fabricate a night splint for you, which will most likely be made from a hard, thermoplastic material. There are several types of designs that may be used, but often night splints will fit comfortably over your upper teeth and have a flat biting surface so that your lower teeth grind harmlessly against the plastic. This treatment can be particularly effective if your jaw pain is caused by bruxism as this tends to be a nocturnal habit. A night splint can help to break this habit and often it only needs to be worn for a short period of time. However, some people may benefit from wearing their night splint for a longer period. Other treatments that may be useful include pain medications to help reduce the inflammation and swelling, as well as muscle relaxants and antianxiety drugs, if appropriate.

What About Home Remedies for TMJ Disorder?

There are a few things you can try at home which may work well when used in conjunction with professional dental care. One thing you can do is to adjust your diet and to eat softer foods like mashed potatoes, soup, fish and scrambled eggs and yogurt for a while. When eating, cut your food up into smaller pieces so you don’t need to chew too much. Avoid eating very hard or crunchy foods or very chewy foods that could place too much stress on your jaw joints. Make a conscious effort to keep your teeth from touching which will relieve pressure on your jaw. One way to do this is to position your tongue so it is just parting your teeth which will help prevent any clenching and grinding throughout the day. If stress is a problem, then think about learning some relaxation techniques or try to consider how you could realistically reduce stress in your life. Some people like to use cold packs or moist heat to make their jaw feel more comfortable. To do this, use an ice pack gently held against your face for approximately 10 minutes. You can follow this with a warm washcloth or towel, holding it to your face for approximately five minutes.

Will I Need Surgery for TMJ Disorder?

Surgery will only be suggested in severe cases of TMJ disorder and most likely only after other avenues for treatment have been exhausted. There are several different surgeries available depending on the problem requiring correction.

If you think you may have TMJ disorder or are concerned that you may be clenching and grinding your teeth, then please contact Metropolitan Prosthodontics. Dr. Sasik can soon diagnose the problem and will suggest the most suitable treatment for your dental needs. Hopefully, very soon, your jaw will feel much more comfortable. We hope to hear from you!