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Conditions
| TMD/TMJ (Temporomandibular Disorders)
Overview
 More than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic
facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the
ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when
opening the mouth, or even headaches and neck aches.
Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and
close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and
swallow. These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well
as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the
TMJ’s.
The TM joint is one of the most complex joints in the body.
Located on each side of the head, these joints work together and
can make many different movements, including a combination of
rotating and translocational (gliding) action, used when chewing
and speaking.
Several muscles help open and close the mouth. They control the
lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward, and
side-to-side. Both TM joints are involved in these movements.
Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see
diagram). The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to
open widely and perform rotating and translocational movements.
Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles,
ligaments, discs and bones from working together properly may
result in a painful TMJ disorder.
Diagnosis & Treatment
A dentist can help identify the source of the pain with a
thorough exam and appropriate x-rays. Often, it's a sinus,
toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease. But for some
pain, the cause is not so easily diagnosed. The pain could be
related to the facial muscles, the jaw or temporomandibular
joint, located in the front of the ear. Treatments for this pain
may include stress reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, or
wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding. They've
been successful for many and your dentist can recommend which is
best for you.
Several conditions may be related to TMD, but they can be quite
varied, and they are often difficult to pinpoint. TM disorders
can result when the jaw muscles or jaw joints are affected.
The joint, ligaments, and muscles used for chewing and grinding
food may all be involved. In some cases, it is not possible to
clearly determine the causes. In some complex cases, where more
than one doctor is involved, it may be difficult to get a
consensus on treatment.
Some TM problems result from arthritis, dislocation, and injury.
All of these conditions can cause pain and dysfunction. Muscles
that move the joints are also subject to injury and disease.
Injuries to the jaw, head or neck, and diseases such as
arthritis, might result in some TM problems. Other factors that
relate to the way the teeth fit together—the bite—may cause some
types of TMD. Stress is thought to be a factor. TMD affects
women of childbearing age more than men, or older men and women.
There are several ways the TMJ disorders may be treated. Your
dentist will recommend what type of treatment is needed for your
particular problem or recommend that you be referred to a
specialist. Treatment may involve a series of steps. The
step-by-step plan is in your best interest because only minor,
relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed.
Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of your
clinical examination includes checking the joints and muscles
for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your
complete medical history may be reviewed, so it is important to
keep your dental office record up-to-date. Your dentist may take
x-rays and may make a “cast” of your teeth to see how your bite
fits together. Your dentist may also request specialized x-rays
for the TM joints. Depending on your case, the dentist may refer
you to a physician or another dentist.
Information provided by the ADA, American
Dental Association,
www.ada.org
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