TMJ Dysfunction
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are small joints located just in front of your ears. The joints are part of your lower jaw (mandible). The joints allow your lower jaw to move and function. The joints are separated from your skull by a thin tissue of cartilage called the “disk.”
When someone develops a TMJ disorder or dysfunction, there are a variety of symptoms which can present: Earaches, headaches, limited mouth opening, painful mouth opening, popping, clicking, or grinding noises.
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| Normal (closed) | Normal (open) |
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
It is important to determine the cause of the TMJ disorder because the cause often guides the treatment. Stress, as well as other environmental factors, can trigger muscular pain, which is very similar to pain caused within the joints. The stress causes contraction of the muscles that moves the lower jaw which results in clenching or grinding of the teeth during the day and/or at night. Muscle spasms then result and cause pain and difficulty moving the jaw, or your joint becomes overloaded and begins to hurt.
Arthritis can effect the TMJ and cause pain. Another cause involves the disk getting displaced. In this situation, the disk is not cushioning the jawbone from the skull during movement. This can produce clicking or popping sounds, limit jaw movement, and induce pain. The disk can also develop a hole or perforation, which can cause a grinding noise and pain. Other conditions like trauma or rheumatoid arthritis can cause parts of the joint to fuse and prevent the lower jaw from moving.
TMJ disorders are usually classified into two major categories:
- Intracapsular Problems--This means that something is actually wrong or abnormal within the joint itself.
- Extracapsular Problems--This means that the causative factor is outside the joint. Most of the time, this involves the muscles that move the lower jaw (muscles of mastication). This is termed Myofacial Pain Disorder (MPD).
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| Anterior Displaced Disc |
Range of Possible Treatment Options
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment can range from conservative dental and medical management strategies to surgeries. However, studies have shown that conservative therapy works most of the time. Surgery is reserved only for the most severe TMJ disorder cases or patients that have undergone splint/appliance therapy unsuccessfully.
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| Splint Treatment |
Examples of Conservative Therapy
- Splint therapy--This appliance helps prevent clenching and grinding and reduces muscle tension which relaxes your muscles and protects your joint and disk from becoming over-loaded.
- Steroids, muscle relaxants, and NSAIDS--These are various types of medications which aid in the treatment of TMJ disorders.
- Eating a soft diet.
- Application of alternating ice and moist heat.
- Limiting gum chewing and caffeine intake.
- Practicing good posture.
***Information referenced from www.aaoms.org
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