TMJ DISORDER If you are experiencing headaches, ear pain, jaw clicking, neck pain it could be TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).  This affects 35% of the population.  You may not have ever heard of it, but you use it hundreds of times every day.  It is the Temporo-Mandibular Joint, the joint where the mandible (the lower jaw) joins the temporal bone of the skull, immediately in front of the ear on each side of the head.  Each time you chew you move it but you also move it every time you talk and every time you swallow.  It is, therefore, one of the most frequently used of all the joints of the body.  If you have suffered from any listed symptoms for sometime, you should ask your doctor or health professional to test you for TMJ Disorder.

Headaches     a. Front of head     b. Back of head     c. Migraines     d. Facial pain     e. Sinus pain Eye pain     a. Blurred vision     b. Pain behind eyes Ear pain     a. Hearing loss     b. Hissing, buzzing, or     roaring sounds in the     ears (tinnitis)     c. Clogged, itchy ears     d. Balance problems Other symptoms     a. Clicking or popping     jaw joints     b. Grating sounds     c. Jaw locking,     open or closed     d. Jaw deviates to     one side on opening     e. Limited opening     f. Pain in either joint     g. Throat soreness     h. Tongue pain one side     i. Neck pain     j. Neck stiffness     k. Lack of mobility,     reduced neck rotation     l. Shoulder aches    m. Arm and finger    tingling or numbness

 

What is TMJ?
TMJ Dysfunction or TMJ Disorder is a condition that occurs when the TM joint is misaligned or malfunctioning in some way that subjects it to excess pressure.  Often there is difficulty in opening the mouth and clicking of the TMJ.  TMJ dysfunction causes widespread and variable pains.  The Journal of the American Medical Association describes it as “the great impostor” because it mimics many different diseases and has such a wide variety of symptoms.  TMJ Dysfunction can be caused by forces that overload the joints.  This can be anything from an incorrect swallowing pattern from childhood, a bad bite from misaligned teeth, missing teeth, old dentures or a trauma such as a fall or car accident.  Tension resulting in clenching and grinding of teeth is a common cause as it overloads the TMJ and the 68 pairs of muscles simultaneously.

Treatment of TMJ
Whatever the cause or severity of TMJ, the most effective approach is to use initially a soft dental splint to ‘decompress the temporo-mandibular joint’, decrease muscle tension and limit the effects of clenching and grinding of the teeth.  Adjunctive therapy on the muscles is very helpful.  Following this, the causes need to be addressed if pain is not resolved.  Permanent changes to the bite with orthodontics or crowns or bridgework or new dentures may be required for long-term pain relief.  TMJ dysfunction should be treated with regular consultation from your doctor or health care therapist.
Treatment is divided into two stages:

Stage one treatment is designed to eliminate pain, provide for optimal joint function based upon your specific condition, stabilize jaw position, and normalize muscle activity. Stage two treatment is designed to maintain the results of stage one treatment.  Stage two treatment needs will be determined at the completion of stage one and may involve correcting with orthodontics or crowns or bridgework or new dentures.