Temporo Mandibular Joint Pain or Dysfunction

One of the most important joints in the body is the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. This joint is located where your jawbone joins your skull just in front of your ear. While it is small in size, the symptoms that can be created by imbalances in its function can be wide reaching and sometimes debilitating. Experts cannot agree on the prevalence of TMJ problems due to the definition of what constitutes TMJ imbalance. If the definition is limited to only those people who have clicking and localized pain in the TMJ, then this is found in 4% of the general population. However, if you consider that a person has a TMJ imbalance if it causes symptoms like headache, dizziness, muscle pain, etc., then the estimates start at 20% and increase.

TMJ disorders are commonly divided into Myofascial Pain Dysfunction, which is primarily a muscular problem, and Intrinsic Joint Derangement, which includes pathological changes in the joint structures

The most common causes of TMJ problems include stress, bruxism or clenching of the teeth, malocclusion due to your teeth not meeting properly when you bite, and trauma. Trauma can be from an accident or from repetitive disuse of the joint. An example would be chewing only on one side of your mouth. As was stated above, the symptoms that can be created from an imbalance in this joint are very far reaching. A general statement is that almost any symptom of head and neck pain could have as at least part of its cause an imbalance in this joint.

The major signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction consist of pain, tenderness, joint noise and limitation in opening your mouth. Pain occurs in almost all patients. It is usually one sided and may be localized or widespread and may be referred to any area of the head. The pain is often worse after eating or upon awakening if you clench or grind your teeth at night. Tenderness in the muscles of chewing or at the back of the head is found in the vast majority of patients.

The examination of a person with potential TMJ problems begins with watching how you talk and open your mouth. Then the muscles of the jaw are palpated for areas of tenderness or over contraction. The overall postural balance must be examined. Testing helps to reveal which muscles are over contracting or under contracting. We also need to find out why the muscles are reacting the way that they do. Over contraction can be caused by your teeth hitting improperly, spinal imbalances especially in the upper neck, the pelvis, food sensitivities, stress. The treatment of a TMJ imbalance may be simple or complex. A complex case involves joint degeneration due to abnormal chewing patterns that has gone on for years. The longer a person has a TMJ imbalance, the more severe the symptoms can become. In some cases, we will need to work with a dentist trained in the treatment of TMJ imbalances to stabilize the joint and allow it to heal.