TMJ - Causes and Treatments

The syndrome affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint on either side of the head that connects the lower jaw to the skull, which is vitally important for everyday activities like chewing, speaking, yawning, and more.
In addition to muscles in the jaw, face, and neck, it also involves the bones and cartilage of the joint, as well as numerous blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments.


People suffering from TMD may experience:

Headache or migraines

Stiffness or popping in the TMJ joint

A clicking or grinding noise in the TMJ joint when the jaw is moved

Limited mobility in the joint, causing difficulty opening or closing the mouth

Difficulty biting or chewing

Wear or damage to teeth

Pain in the facial muscles, shoulders, and neck

Earache, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss

Pain or tenderness in and around the jaw itself

If problems continue without appropriate TMJ treatment, these symptoms can progress to include chronic headaches and face pain.
Some people can have a misalignment of their bite or have high stress levels for years without developing TMJ syndrome, while others suffer from it without dramatic correlation of these triggers.
For very extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.
This often lessens the frequency and impact of clenching and grinding of the teeth that contributes to a majority of TMJ cases.


Correcting tooth and bite alignment: If symptoms persist, a specifically designed bite splint, or bite leveling orthotic, is often the best initial therapy to improve jaw function and decrease symptoms.
Repair to the teeth may also be necessary if there has been wear or grinding on the chewing surfaces.


Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be required to repair a deteriorating jaw bone (when the cause is osteoarthritis) or correct trauma from an accident that might have misaligned the jaw or injured the facial muscles.


To find the best treatment approach for TMJ, it's a good idea to see a reputable TMJ dentist who has extensive training and experience in treating TMJ disorders.
Make sure the dentist you select takes the time to listen to you about your lifestyle and symptoms.

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