TMJ Presentation

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TMJ Overview

• TMJ symptoms may be painless, at first
• TMJ symptoms vary and may appear unrelated to
  dentistry

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• TMDs can develop when the TMJ becomes damaged,
  inflamed, loses alignment or through trauma.
• Damage to or loss of the protective layer of
  cartilage between the jaw and skull may cause
  pain and lead to TMJ.
• Fractures, dislocations, and other traumas can
  cause TMJ pain. Traumas can displace the
  alignment of the jaw, leading to the development
  of TMJ/TMDs. Traumas often connected to TMJ
  include
• Whiplash
• Impacts to the head and face
• Hyper-extension of the jaw muscles
• Illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid and
  Osteoarthritis, connective tissue diseases and
  more can weaken the TMJ.
• Alcohol and tobacco consumption, excessive
  chewing, and overuse of the jaw can cause TMJ.
• Overbite, underbite and other hereditary factors
  may lead to TMJ/TMDs.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often linked to
  TMJ/TMDs.
• In many cases, the symptoms of TMJ will continue
  to increase and worsen over time. Minor
  inconveniences can develop into severe TMJ.

Causes of TMJ
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TMJ and Bruxism

• TMJ disorders can be caused or aggravated by
  teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Teeth grinding
• Can occur during the day or at night.
• Can be completely unconscious an action.
• Bruxism habits vary and include while driving,
  reading, writing, or in response to stress.
• Many people grind their teeth at night to help
  maintain a clear airway.
• Bruxism can cause damage to teeth and stress on
  muscles, leading to alignment issues and
  development of TMJ/TMDs.

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Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
Clicking and Popping of the Jaw
Difficulty Eating
Trouble Sleeping
Facial Pain
One of the top symptoms patients report in
connection with TMJ is a "clicking" or "popping"
of the jaw when opening or closing their mouth.
This can range from mild to severe and may
include accompanying pain and discomfort.
Changes in jaw alignment can have reaching
effects. Over time, shifts in the jaw place
pressure on the skull, throat muscles, and other
parts of the face. This can make it challenging
to chew and enjoy favorite foods.
Those with TMJ may have trouble falling asleep
due to pain, or difficulty remaining asleep
because of trouble breathing. During sleep,
improper jaw alignment can cause the tongue to
block the airway.
Shifts or changes in the dental structure or bite
may cause one side of the jaw to over perform,
leading to facial muscle fatigue and discomfort.
This can cause pain across the face, behind the
eyes, and near the temples. TMJ may also cause
swelling and tenderness in the jaw area, and
around the face
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Migraine/Tension Headaches
Earaches
Sinus Pain (Sinusitis)

• Migraine headaches. TMJ-induced migraine
  headaches are often accompanied by
  nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light, and/or an
  aversion to loud noises. Migraines have many
  potential triggers, with TMJ ranking high among
  them. Following a migraine, sufferers are at
  higher risk for repeat attacks, leading to
  chronic conditions.
• Tension headaches. Tension headaches linked to
  TMJ are often the result compensating for the
  effects of TMJ. TMJ/TMD can place undue stress
  on facial muscles. The muscles fatigues
  attempting to compensate for misaligned jaw
  and/or an uneven bite, leading to muscle tension
  and discomfort.

Any number of traumas to the TMJ can increase the
impact of jaw movement on the ear canal, leading
to ear discomfort, or earaches. Many
misinterpret these symptoms as ear infections. A
TMD can place pressure on the nerves, causing a
ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus).
Overexertion of facial muscles can cause
inflammation, placing pressure on the sinuses and
leading to discomfort.
In many cases, it can be difficult to make the
connection between TMJ and a medical condition.
Headaches, earaches, and sinus pain have many
potential causes.
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Neck, Shoulder, and Back Discomfort
Small adjustments to jaw alignment can cause a
number of muscle groups in the body to
overcompensate. This can often lead to muscle
fatigue beginning in the jaw before moving along
the vertebrae causing pain and aching in the
shoulders, back, hips and more.
Long-Term Effects of TMJ
Hearing Damage and Loss
The area surrounding the ear canal is sensitive
and can be affected by the symptoms of TMJ, over
time. In severe cases, TMJ can cause tinnitus
(ringing in the ears), and other ear damage
leading to hearing loss.
Dependence on Coping Mechanisms
Chronic pain can lead to a dependency on
medication, alcohol, or other coping mechanisms
for management. TMJ can lead to long-term chronic
pain across the jaw and upper body. Addressing
the root cause will best alleviate TMJ symptoms.
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Permanent TMJ Relief
Advanced approaches to treatment allow
individualized treatment of TMJ for permanent
relief. For many people, TMJ/TMDs can be treated
this way. Initial TMJ evaluations are
non-invasive.