About TMJ

TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD) is one of the most misunderstood human afflictions. It is confused with other illnesses and it is both a cause and a result of other illnesses. It is too often ignored by doctors who are not familiar with this enigma and by patients who slough off treatment because they don’t realize the seriousness of it.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms include jaw clicking, popping and locking, stiff or sore jaw muscles, neck and backaches, stuffiness and pain in the ears and temple area, headaches, and dizziness or even fainting.

Patients rarely think to consult a dentist when experiencing TMD symptoms. Commonly, sufferers may complain of an ear infection or any of the other co-morbidities when in fact the problem is TMD.

MORPHOLOGY

The temporomandibular joint is where the mandible (lower jaw) is connected to the skull. The condyle of the ramus of the mandible articulates in the skull. When this joint is damaged or infected it can lead to a painful disorder called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) syndrome.

CAUSES

The causes of TMD syndrome may include injury to the teeth or jaw, poor posture, stress, teeth grinding, arthritis, sleep apnea, and misalignment of the teeth or jaw.

TREATMENT

Self-care practices, such as applying ice to reduce any swelling or moist heat to relax the muscles in the area, eating soft foods, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as exaggerated yawning, gum chewing, and loud singing) are helpful in calming symptoms. The NIH cites that experts strongly recommend using the most conservative, reversible treatments possible.