|
|
|
| Tempro-Mandibular
Joint (TMJ) |
TMJ (Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome) is a condition
created by the combination of a bad bite and stress.
The patient with TMJ (also referred to as TMD) usually experiences
grinding of the teeth, jaw joint pain, headaches, ringing in the
ears, or any number of other related symptoms.
Sometimes, in severe cases, the person with TMJ will be unable to open his or her mouth wide, or will hear clicking, cracking or a "pop" upon opening.
Often, patients report the onset of TMJ occurring with some sort of unusual stress, such as final exams, or job-related issues, or a severe blow to the jaw, such as from athletics or an automobile accident.
Sometimes these patients will seek treatment from their general physician, or an "ear-nose-and-throat" specialist, before coming to the dentist to be seen. |
To
understand TMJ, it's helpful to know a little bit about the joint
itself.
The Tempro-Mandibular Joint has two main components: |
1. The major muscle group.
The
major muscles involving the TMJ are the masseter and the temporalis.
When these large muscles are in spasm, the patient is often unable
to open their mouth, and is sometimes in excruciating pain. This
can lead to neck pain, dizziness and many other related symptoms. |
 |
2. The minor muscles.
A closer
look at the joint itself reveals various ligaments, smaller muscle
groups and a piece of cartilage known as the meniscus. It is this
meniscus, which normally acts as a buffer between the jaw and the
skull, that gets damaged during TMJ difficulties. The click or pop
that patients hear when they open their mouths wide is due to an
injury to this cartilage. |
 |
Treatment
for TMJ can involve one or more of the following:
1) Bite adjustment (known as occlusal equilibration)
2) The making of a night guard
3) Stress reduction practices
4) Prescription medications for muscle relaxation or pain.
When treated early, TMJ can be controlled and the potential damage to the teeth and jaw joint can be minimized.
When left untreated, TMJ can erode the health of the jaw joint, prevent proper chewing, and cause looseness of teeth.
|
|
