Heather Lawson-Myers - TOOTH TALK TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT dysfunction syndrome (TMJ) is a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint (just in front of your ear).
Some of the symptoms are pain or a clicking sound, headaches or neckaches, bite problems such as teeth not touching when you bite, difficulty chewing and teeth that are sensitive, loose, broken or worn.
A dental or medical history helps your dentist gather information on your symptoms, your overall health and your family history of any related problems. With the answers you give, your dentist will begin to determine the causes of your disorder. You might be asked: "Are you under stress at work or home?" "Do you clench or grind your teeth?" "Have you had bite problems or joint disorders?"
An examination will include firmly touching your facial and neck muscles and jaw joint, checking for pain, muscle tension and tenderness. Your doctor may also insert a little finger into your ear to feel how smoothly your jaw works. A stethoscope picks up clicking sounds in your joint and a ruler measures how wide you can open your jaw.
There are many treatment options which improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Stress heightens symptoms of TMJ. One of the simplest aspects of treatment of a TMJ problem is learning to relax. Resting your jaw, relaxes muscles and takes the pressure off your joint, which can then heal more easily. The key to resting your jaw is keeping your teeth apart. Practising good posture, eating soft foods and reducing stress will also relax your jaw.
Other self-care techniques that may relieve your symptoms are ice, heat and exercise. An ice pack applied to the jaw helps reduce swelling in your TMJ and muscles. Both ice and moist heat help relax muscles and reduce pain. Exercise can help restore the normal range of motion in your jaw only when pain isn't flaring up. Deep breathing and/or visualising something peaceful may lessen tension. An excellent way to relax is also listening to soothing music.
A variety of physical therapy techniques, such as jaw exercises, postural training or mobilisation will help you regain the harmony in your jaw and muscles. Physical therapy is often used after surgery or when disc, ligaments or other joint tissues are injured. It promotes healing and reduces pain and swelling. It may also aid muscle relaxation and increase your jaw's range of motion.
Your dentist may recommend that you wear a splint - a plastic appliance that fits over your top or bottom teeth - to establish harmony between your muscles, bite and joint. Splints may reduce bruxism (grinding teeth) by keeping your teeth apart.
After your dentist takes impressions of your teeth you will return in a week or two to have your splint fitted. You will have your splint adjusted as your jaw posture changes. At first you may wear the splint 24 hours a day, then only at night, depending on your particular problem. Since everyone's TMJ disorder is different, your dentist will give you precise instructions about when to wear your splint. Clean your splint when you brush your teeth. If your splint cracks have it repaired immediately so exposed teeth don't move.
Every time you bite and chew parts of your TMJ move. Like grinding gears of a car, teeth which don't fit together properly may strain your TMJ. Sometimes a splint is all that is needed to improve a bad bite, but you may need other treatment.Orthodontics (braces) or restorative work (fillings, crowns and bridges) may be needed to correct more serious bite problems.
With the correct diagnosis and treatment, most people find relief from pain and other symptoms of a TMJ disorder.
Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson Myers, President of the Jamaica Dental Association (2003/4).
