TMJ stands for Temperomandibular Joint, which is the joint connecting your lower jaw to your head, just in front of your ears.
It is very common to clench or grind your teeth (particularly at night). Unfortunately excessive work and pressure on this joint leads to tension in the surrounding muscles. This can elicit significant pain and discomfort.
TMJ problems occur as a result of both physical and psychological factors:
- Psychological stress and anxiety is a big factor.
- Physical stress and nutritional deficiencies
- Sleep disorders
- Abnormal anatomy of the teeth and jaws ,such as crowded teeth
- Poorly contoured fillings can cause an improper bite, forcing the jaw to move in an uncomfortable manner
Signs and symptoms vary greatly between individuals. These may include:
- Headaches and facial pain that can extend into the neck
- Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
- Earaches
- Extremely sensitive teeth
- Flattened biting surfaces of the teeth
- Fractures of teeth and commonly fillings
- Loose teeth
- Your partner may hear you grinding your teeth at night during sleep
- A clicking in your jaw joint
Treatment of jaw problems varies markedly from person to person and unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules. It is important to first treat the cause of the problem. By initially removing the cause of the problem a treatment regime can be formulated to deal with the pain and return the jaw and supporting muscles to a harmonious state.
Commonly a hard plastic night guard (called a splint) is fabricated which helps prevent wear on the teeth. These work incredibly well however there is initially a great deal of tolerance and compliance necessary. They are not applicable to all TMJ cases however.
Specific exercises to relax the muscles work wonders.
Sometimes medication is the only option available, whether it be pain killers or a mild muscle relaxant taken at night.
Early diagnosis is essential so it is a good idea to write down your concerns and symptoms prior to your initial consultation. |
