TMJ Dysfunction treatment

TMJ Disorder

Eating, speaking, drinking… if just the thought of these is causing you to hold your face in pain, there’s a chance Temporomandibular Joint Disorder may be the cause.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (most commonly known as TMJ Disorder or TMD) is a complex, multifaceted condition that affects the Temporomandibular Joint; the bony articular surfaces of the skull and mandible, the muscles that facilitate movement of the mandible, the teeth and the nervous system that coordinates the complex movement of the mandible.

Book online now

How do I know if I have TMJ Disorder?

The symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder are jaw pain, abnormal jaw movements and joint noises like clicks or crunching sounds; and can be caused by trauma to the joint such as direct force or an indirect blow secondary to an accident. However the most common cause of TMJ Disorder is micro-trauma to the joint, commonly called dental bruxism or clenching.

TMJ Disorder and Bruxism

Micro-trauma (commonly called dental bruxism or clenching) is the repeated grinding of your teeth, often at night while you sleep. Referred to as nocturnal bruxism, the action is involuntary and centrally mediated by the central nervous system (CNS). Research concludes the most common causes are anxiety, stress, pain (postural) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) where people actually grind their teeth so they can maintain an airway.

The disease profile includes, but is not limited to:

Teeth sensitivity

Limited opening of the jaw, locking of jaw position in open / closed position

Jaw pain, jaw joint noises – clicking, popping & grating

Headaches, neck & shoulder pain

Tinnitus, ear congestion

Visual disturbances

Peripheral tingling in the upper extremities

Restless leg syndrome

Poor posture – lower back pain, head posture

Generalised fatigue, lethargy

Sleep disorders

How do I treat TMJ Disorder?

Treatment of TMJ Disorder involves a thorough exploration of the history of your condition, an examination including range of motion, postural evaluation, cranial nerve evaluation, muscle palpation and a detailed assessment of your autonomic nervous system through evaluation of your motor reflexes. Once a diagnosis has been made, we can prescribe a treatment plan that may include a dental orthotic for relief of symptoms.

At Claremont Dental, we provide diagnosis of jaw joint problems and appliance therapy. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news.

FAQs

Can TMJ go away on its own?

Discomfort arising from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction can often come and go, most commonly at periods of increased stress in your life. Your TMJ, like all other joints in your body, may deteriorate as you get older, especially when you consider the amount of work, stress and strain you are putting it through. Most sufferers can cope without any additional medical help during times of minimal discomfort but it is important to have appropriate mechanisms in place for when there are more painful episodes. As with most medical conditions, prevention is far better than cure so understanding what is affecting your TMJ is vital to creating an effective management plan.

What will happen if TMJ is not treated?

Should I see a dentist for TMJ?

An experienced dentist has seen many patients with various degrees of discomfort caused by TMJ dysfunction and will be best placed to help you deal with problems in a timely and effective manner. Dentists are able to correctly diagnose and isolate causative factors from which appropriate treatment can be delivered. This may include provision of an occlusal splint/guard to wear at night, avoidance strategies, analgesics and muscle relaxants or even the effective use of Botox. Your dentist will also know when it is appropriate to refer you on to physiotherapists or medical specialist if the case determines need for it.

Is TMJ treatment painful?

Can I go on a payment plan for TMJ treatment?