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The joints work in concert with the facial bones and five pairs of muscles to allow
opening and closing of the mouth and forward, backward, and side-to-side movements of the
lower jaw. Any disturbance of this facial symphony can trigger the cycle characteristic of
TMJ disorders: muscles and joints not working together correctly-causing muscle
spasm-which produces pain, muscle tenderness, and tissue damage.
What causes TMJ?
TMJ can be caused by many things. Some of the more common things are
malocclusion or
problems in the way the teeth fit together, a blow to the jaw or head, clenching or
grinding of the teeth, arthritis of the jaw, poorly fitting dentures, yawning for
prolonged periods with the mouth open too wide, recent dental work, accidents that damage
facial bones or the jaw, extraction of teeth or missing back teeth, birth trauma due to
delivery complications, and traction involving the head, jaws, and neck.
The most common TMJ disorder originates in the jaw muscles and is called myofacial pain
dysfunction (MPD). MPD strikes three times as many women as men-usually those between 20
and 40 years old-and results from a tendency to deal with tension and stress by clenching
or grinding the teeth. These habits can tire the muscles and trigger spasms, producing
pain, more spasms and, eventually, a TMJ disorder. MPD sufferers may or may not have
problems with their bite.
Because this disorder mimics so many other condition, diagnosis may be complicated.
Many people may spend a great deal of time and money searching for the source of their
symptoms. If your physician cannont find any underlying conditions, he could consider the
possibility of TMJ and recommend that you consult a dentist that specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders.
TMJ: MIMICS OTHER DISEASES
Chronic recurrent headaches as well as facial and neck pain are a common occurrence in
millions of Americans. In addition, people frequently suffer from ear symptoms including
pain, ringing, buzzing, loss of hearing or clicking or locking of the jaw which can make
chewing, speaking or moving the jaw painful or difficult.
Until recently these symptoms, appearing unrelated, were frequently undiagnosed or
misdiagnosed as migraine, tension headache, neuritis, neuralgia, or stress. When standard
treatment remedies for these types of disorders proved unsuccessful, patients were
frequently labeled as hypochondriacs, "it's all in your head", or neurotic.
Today, it is well recognized by certain practitioners within the Health Care Community
that these often unexplained, undiagnosed and therefore untreated symptoms are related to
a group of problems called, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
Today, practitioners with proper training and diagnostic skills, are able to pin point
the cause of these symptoms and provide, often times miraculous, relief of symptoms which
may have been present for years.
If you suffer from one or all of these symptoms, this web site has help for you. The
American Academy of Head, Neck and Facial Pain desires to provide you with information
about your disorder and help guide you in the selection of a health care professional who
has received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of head, neck, facial pain
and temporomandibular joint disorders.
A CLOSER LOOK AT TMD
A question that is frequently asked is what exactly is TMD? TMD or Temporomandibular
Disorders are a group of maladies which can effect the temporomandibular joints (the jaw
joints located immediatel in front of your ears) , as well as the associated muscles of
the jaw, face and neck as well as related neurological and vascular structures.
Problems within this complex can produce a myriad of symptoms which, at first glance,
might appear to be totally unrelated to the jaw complex. These symptoms can include
headaches (over the eye, in the temples, behind the eyes, and at the base of the skull),
generalized facial pain as well as more specific pain directly in front of the ears, ear
symptoms including ringing, buzzing, congestion, as well as pain. In addition neck and
shoulder pain as well as clicking or grating noises of the jaw joint with movement,
locking of the jaw or pain in the jaw with function are frequently encountered. Sufferers
may not possess all of these symptoms however, it is most certainly possible that they
may.
Some estimates would suggest that as high as 20% of the American population possess one
or more of the symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder. Although all of these individuals
may not have conditions severe enough to warrant treatment, many sufferers have developed
such debilitating pain so as to degrade the quality of their life making family, social
and business interrelationships difficult if not impossible.
Craniomandibular Dysfunction
A dental term, which describes a
collection of symptoms, which result when the chewing muscles and jaw joints do not work
together correctly. "TMJ" is a popular term commonly used to describe the same
group of symptoms. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joints. These are the two joints that
connect your jaw to your skull. When these joints are out of place, they can cause many
problems, such as:
- Clicking or popping of the jaw joints
- Pain in or around the jaw joints
- Locking or limited opening of your mouth
Muscle spasm goes hand-in-hand with displaced jaw joints. Because the nerves and
muscles are so complex in this area, when these muscles are in spasm the problems can be
far-reaching. People suffer from symptoms they would never think to associate with their
bite, such as:
- Headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Dizziness, nausea
- Earaches or ringing of the ears (Tinnitis)
- Clenching or grinding of the teeth
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Numbness, or tingling of the fingers
- Hearing loss
Such symptoms may relate to your bite and how they can successfully be treated by a
dentist who has special education in managing these disorders.
The primary problem can be in the joints themselves, the muscles of the face and jaw,
or a combination of these. Because the symptoms masquerade as so many other conditions,
many people travel from doctor to doctor in search of a cure. It is estimated that as many
as 44 million Americans suffer from one or more of these symptoms. Many never think to
seek a dentist for help.
What Causes Craniomandibular Dysfunction?
The structures that make it possible to open and close your mouth include the bones,
joints, and muscles. These are very specialized and must work together whenever you chew,
speak, or swallow. Your teeth are inserted in your jaw bone. At the other end of your jaw
bone are the temporomandibular joints. These joints attach your jaw to your skull. Muscles
attach both the bones and joints and allow them to move. Any problem which prevents the
complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working together in harmony may result
in TMJ Dysfunction.
Jaw Joint Displacement
Each jaw joint is a ball and socket joint. When functioning properly, the ball and socket
do not actually touch because a thin disc of cartilage rides between them. The disc acts
as a cushion and allows the joint to move smoothly. Each disc is held in place and guided
by muscle. If your bite is not right, the joint is pulled out of alignment. Typically the
disc is pulled forward. Since it no longer serves as a cushion, the joint itself now rubs
against the bony socket and presses on pain fibers. Mild displacements cause a clicking
or popping sound in the jaw joint; more severe displacements can be very painful and
eventually can cause permanent damage to the joint, a grinding noise and arthritis.
Muscle Spasm
Your upper and lower teeth must come together firmly each time you swallow. This happens
over 2000 times each day and night! When your bite is unstable your muscles must work
extra hard. This extra work makes them shortened and stiff. Eventually this strain makes
them feel painful. A vicious cycle begins of increased tissue damage, muscle tenderness,
and pain. The pain makes you feel tense and uptight. This worsens the muscle spasm, which
in turn increases the pain.
A "Bad Bite"
There are various ways this system can be disrupted, such as accidents involving a blow to
the face or a whiplash. Yet the most common cause of Craniomandibular Dysfunction relates
to your teeth and your bite. If your bite isn't right, it can affect both the muscles and
the joints. What do we mean by a "bad bite"? We mean that your upper and lower
teeth do not come together in a way that provides the proper bracing support for your jaw
against your skull. This might result from a missing tooth, misaligned teeth, or back
teeth, which are too "short." A bad bite is called a malocclusion and needs
braces to be fixed. This occurs after the TMJ’s are fixed.
An unstable bite can cause both jaw joint displacement and muscle strain and pain.
Conversely, a jaw joint displacement will always cause an unstable bite. Many
seemingly unrelated symptoms result which are collectively known as Craniomandibular
Dysfunction. When this condition is prolonged, the body begins to compensate and adapt by
causing spasm in the muscles in the neck, back, shoulders and even sometimes those of the
arms, fingers, and legs.
For more information go to to our Contact Information
Page or reach us by e-mail: griffiths@tmjarizona.com
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