Your temporomandibular joint is remarkably complex, and key to so many vital functions. To speak, eat or smile, you rely on the joint to operate efficiently. You also expect it to carry you through great meals and conversations without causing searing pain or headaches.
Those who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder — abbreviated as TMJ, TMJD or TMD — experience severe, chronic pain that often worsens with stress. Below, experienced San Diego dentist Dr. Jennifer Santoro reviews causes and treatment options for this disabling condition.
A Painful Reality
Because the cause can be elusive and symptoms are not always consistent for all sufferers, TMJ was once not given the serious consideration it deserves. Some considered it a condition rooted in the mind, not the jaw. But a series of studies of TMJ over the years has demonstrated that the condition is very real, creating pain, distress and inconvenience for millions.
Possible causes of TMJ include arthritis, behaviors such as grinding or clenching, dislocation resulting from injury or trauma, scar tissue that interferes with the bite, infections, autoimmune disease and genetic predisposition.
TMJ pain originates in the jaw but may radiate to other facial areas, the neck, ears and even the shoulders. In addition to pain, persons may experience popping or clicking sensations when the joint is in motion, difficulty opening the mouth or chewing, a feeling that the jaw is locking, facial swelling, tooth sensitivity, headaches, earaches or malocclusion, which is a misalignment of the bite. This change in the bite is sometimes caused by repositioning of teeth; when teeth drift in the mouth, they may force the jaw to adjust by moving the temporomandibular joint out of its socket. Restoring the bite to its proper alignment can be an important first step in treating TMJ.
Other treatment options include muscle relaxants, occlusal appliances such as mouth guards or oral splints, physical therapy focused on exercising the jaw muscles, ultrasound treatment, stress management, corticosteroid injections and arthrocentesis, which involves insertion of needles into the joint to remove debris or substances that may be interfering with jaw function.
Less commonly, invasive solutions are tried. Arthroscopy can help check the condition of the joints and allow repairs to be made. Arhrotomy is open-joint surgery, and could be advised if TMJ is caused by a structural issue. Alternatively, a condylotomy can be performed to repair damage to the mandible, instead of the joint. This option is considered in cases where patients report locking of the jaw.
To schedule your appointment, or to learn more about causes and treatment of TMJ, call Dr. Santoro at (858) 566-8510, or email Village Center Dentistry in Scripps Ranch today.
