TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull. Because some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your temporomandibular joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the cartilage disk which cushions the jaw can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, a clicking or grating noise when you open your mouth, or you may have trouble opening your mouth wide.

To determine whether you have signs pointing to TMJ dysfunction, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
  • Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
  • Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
  • Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
  • Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
  • Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
  • Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
  • Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
  • Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
  • Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
  • Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
  • Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
  • Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ syndrome and you should see am oral surgeon for an evaluation. Once an evaluation confirms a TMJ diagnosis, Bay Oral Surgery & Implant Center will determine the proper course of treatment.

TMJ treatment works best with a combination of professional and self care techniques. The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Effective self care treatments include:

  • Resting your jaw
  • Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
  • Eating soft foods
  • Applying ice and heat
  • Exercising your jaw
  • Practicing good posture

Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may also be recommended as well as a number of appliances to reposition and protect your jaw, allowing it to heal.

If your TMJ syndrome has caused problems with how your teeth fit together, you may need treatment such as a bite adjustment, orthodontics, or restorative dental work. For severe cases, surgical options such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring are sometimes needed. Our surgeons do not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and cannot be reduced, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.

To see if you may have a TMJ disorder and need treatment, make an appointment with an oral surgeon.