TMJ & Headaches
Many people suffer from headaches, earaches, face, neck and back pain,
or dizziness without ever really knowing the cause of their pain. Patients
try seeking a medical cure for their discomfort. Unfortunately, after
years of unsuccessful treatment they learn to live with pain, often with
the aid of medications. A known condition that accounts for a large percentage
of these patients is TMJ temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. There are
many who suspect they have a joint disorder because they hear clicks or
pops in their joint when they open and close. Their jaws may have even locked
open. However, symptoms, such as the pain mentioned above, can be associated
with TMJ dysfunction, but they are not the disorder itself. Treating
the source of the pain, not the pain itself is the goal of the treatment
TMJ dysfunction.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your jaw joint which holds your lower jaw in place and slides and rotates when your jaw is moving. Your TMJ is surrounded by muscles that connect your jaw to the skull which allow you to move your jaw forward, side-to-side, and open and close. The way your teeth fit together is called occlusion. Your TMJ, jaw muscles, and occlusion closely interact during everyday function. When they do not function together properly, or there is a problem with just one part of the system, a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can result. This term describes a variety of conditions associated with chronic pain that affect the TMJ and jaw muscles.
There are several sources for TMJ dysfunction. When your teeth do not fit together in proper relation to each other and to your joints, your jaw will try to compensate and automatically shift to a new position. This is termed a malocclusion. Signs of malocclusion that we look for include clenching and grinding of the teeth, tooth wear, and muscle soreness. Pain can then be referred through nerve pathways to areas such as the head, neck, shoulders, and back. Certain conditions can aggravate TMD, particularly stressful situations in which many people tend clench and grind their teeth. This leads to overuse of the muscles and subsequent discomfort. Other conditions that can affect the health of the TMJ include trauma, disease, nutritional deficiencies and infections.
TMD Symptoms to Look For:
- Frequent headaches or neck pain
- Jaw pain and tired jaw muscles more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
- Clicking noise when you open or close your mouth
- Difficultly opening and closing
- Jaw pain when chewing or yawning; jaws have locked up
- Earaches or ringing in the ears without infection or other cause
- Clenching and grinding (increases with stress)
- Sensitive, broken, or worn teeth when no dental problems exist
- Teeth do not fit together
Diagnosing and treating TMJ dysfunction includes a complete examination of the TMJ, muscles and teeth. We ask each patient to complete a pain questionnaire. Models are made of your teeth and an x-ray may be taken of your jaw joint called a tomograph.We use a technique called bimanual manipulation to determine the position of your jaw as your teeth come together.
Depending on the symptoms and situation, various treatments may be recommended.
First, we may recommend that you wear an occlusal splint to help diagnose
and treat your TMJ disorder. A splint is acrylic appliance that fits over
your top or bottom teeth that allows your joint to move into its proper
position relieving pressure and relaxing your muscles. Splints are custom
fabricated for each patient in our office. Once you have worn your splint
for a specified period of time, treatment to permanently correct the problem
is planned.
Treatment for TMJ Disorders:
- Occlusal splint - allows joint to seat into proper position relaxing muscles
- Occlusal equilibration - conservative procedure in which the teeth are reshaped to correct a mild malocclusion. By eliminating certain interferences, a more ideal fit of the teeth can be achieved.
- Orthodontics - braces may be an option to permanently reposition teeth for a more stable bite.
- Restorative procedures - crowns or bridges may be necessary to restore teeth that are worn and replace missing teeth for improved occlusion.
- Joint surgery - in severe TMD cases, surgical correction may be required.
Please contact our office for more information or to schedule a consultation!
TMJ Links:
Dr. Peter Dawson — www.dawsoncenter.com
Dr. Mark Piper — www.tmjsurgery.com
