More than 15 percent of American adults suffer from kind of chronic facial pain, such as headaches, earaches, or jaw pain. For many of them, those aches and pains are related to problems in their temporomandibular (TM) joints. This condition is popularly known as TMJ.
The TM joints are located on each side of the head and work together with a complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones, to create different movements for speaking and chewing. When the TM joints are out of alignment the result can be:
- Pain in or around the ear
- Tenderness of the jaw or jaw muscles
- Headaches and neck aches
- Jaw pain when biting, chewing, or yawning
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Popping or clicking noises when opening the mouth
- Sensitive teeth where no other dental problems can be found
What causes TMJ?
- Arthritis
- Improper bite (how teeth fit together)
- Jaw dislocation or injury
- Stress
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Sinus problems
Diagnosing TMJ
Because TMJ can be caused by a number of factors, there is no standard test to identify the problem. However, about 90 percent of the cases of TMJ can be diagnosed after a consultation with your dentist where one or more of these factors are taken into consideration:
- A description of your symptoms
- A physical examination of your face and jaw
- X-rays
- A cast of your teeth to see how your bite fits together
- Specialized x-rays for the TM joints.
Treating TMJ
Your dentist will recommend what type of treatment is needed for your particular problem. Some patients may be referred to a specially trained facial pain expert, but the majority of people with TMJ are successfully treated with one or a combination of the following:
- Pain modification – this can include rest for the joint, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory over the counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin, and/or applying moist heat to the affected area.
- Relaxation techniques – relaxation training and biofeedback can help to manage stress.
- Nightguard – to prevent grinding your teeth during sleep.
- Orthodontic treatment – adjustments made to correct poorly aligned teeth.
No Need to Panic
For most people, the discomfort and pain resulting from TMJ is temporary. Simple self-care such as exercising to reduce teeth-clenching caused by stress or a prescribed mouth guard are all that is needed to greatly reduce or even eliminate symptoms.
When further treatment is needed, we recommend it be conservative and reversible. You should avoid, if at all possible, treatments that cause permanent changes to the bite or jaw. We are the best source for conservative treatments for TMJ that do not require irreversible procedures.
We will recommend what type of treatment is needed for your particular problem or refer you to a specialist, such as specially trained facial pain experts.