Understanding Your Jaw Pain & How We Can Help

What You Need to Know About TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can develop for a number of reasons. Grinding or clenching your teeth is one of the most common, as it puts repeated stress on the jaw muscles and the joint itself. Injury associated with facial trauma to the jaw, head, or neck can also damage the joint directly or stretch and tear the surrounding ligaments. Arthritis is another contributing factor. In some cases, the disk inside the joint, a small piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones, can slip out of its normal position, which affects how the joint moves and feels.

Whatever the cause, the results can include a misaligned bite, pain in or around the jaw, clicking or grating noises when you open your mouth, or limited range of motion resulting in difficulty opening your mouth all the way.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

The following questions can help you think through whether your symptoms might be related to a TMJ disorder:

• Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
• Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaw?
• Do you have frequent headaches or neck pain?
• Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
• Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
• Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
• Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
• Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaw?
• Have you had problems, like arthritis, in other joints?
• Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
• Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
• Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
• Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?

The more questions you answered yes to, the more likely it is that TMJ disorder is a factor. A proper evaluation is the only way to know for certain, and that's where our team comes in.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders

Treatment for TMJ disorders works best as a team effort, combining professional care with steps you take at home. The right course of treatment depends on your specific situation and the severity of your symptoms.

The initial goals of treatment are typically to relieve muscle spasm and joint pain. This is often accomplished with pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, or muscle relaxants. Steroids can also be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation when needed.

Self-care plays an important role in managing TMJ symptoms as well. Helpful steps include:

• Resting your jaw
• Keeping your teeth apart when you're not swallowing or eating
• Eating soft foods
• Applying ice and heat
• Doing gentle jaw exercises
• Practicing good posture

Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may also be recommended. In many cases, a temporary device may be used. There are different devices designed for different purposes:

• A nightguard helps stop clenching or grinding, reduces muscle tension overnight, and protects the cartilage and joint surfaces.
• An anterior positioning device moves the jaw forward to relieve pressure on certain parts of the joint and aid in disk repositioning; it may be worn around the clock while the jaw heals.
• An orthotic stabilization device moves the jaw into a healthier position and can be worn full-time or only at night, depending on your needs.

When Is Surgery Considered?

If a TMJ disorder has affected how your teeth fit together, treatment for bite adjustment, orthodontics, or restorative dental work may also be part of the plan. Surgical options, including arthrocentesis, arthroscopic and open joint repair or restructuring, are sometimes necessary, but they are reserved for failed conservative therapy or for more severe cases. Surgery is not considered unless the jaw can't open, is dislocated and cannot be reduced, has experienced severe degeneration, or the patient has already gone through appliance treatment without success.