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Grinding your teeth, suffering from frequent headaches, dizziness, stiff neck, ear ache, back pain or popping jaw joints?
You may be one of the many undiagnosed TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Dysfunction sufferers that needs treatment. Many patients suffer from particularly chronic long term headaches, grinding and jaw joint pain. Most of these problems can be solved by placing the lower jaw in a better relationship to the joint space. |
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Cause
When the jaw relationship allows the head of the lower jaw to push too far into the joint area, there can be an impingement onto the delicate blood vessels and nerve bundles that form a rich complex around the ear. The cause is multi-factorial but commonly develops from birth and is related to breathing patterns, posture, tongue position and habits. Grinding heavily or habits such as nail biting and playing some musical instruments, or stress can be an important factor in triggering the pain. The cause can also be from trauma to the face and jaws from such things as car accidents or a fight. Some patients are known to have had chronic pain for years with related pain in the neck, back, hips and even the lower leg areas. If the teeth bite together incorrectly, especially if the lower jaw is forced up and backwards, then the whole skeletal base becomes in a state of imbalance. |
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Symptoms
The symptoms of having a TMJ dysfunction include muscular compensation which in itself can cause muscular pain elsewhere in the body. The jaw joint bones themselves can deform and become arthritic as the cartilaginous disc separating the head of the jaw (the condyle) and the joint space becomes damaged or displaced resulting in painful clicks and pressure.
Hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is common, popping sounds and clicks can be very irritating as well as painful.
Bite irregularities can, of course, be the cause of excessive wear of the teeth and restorations as well as premature loss of crowns and bridges.
For most patients the main problem is chronic headaches which may become debilitating. Pain often manifests itself as toothache and pain in the front area of the face. Hard foods may be difficult to eat and the opening of the mouth is greatly reduced and even at times locked. Trigger pain spots are common around the face and neck.
The symptoms of having a TMJ dysfunction include muscular compensation which in itself can cause muscular pain elsewhere in the body. The jaw joint bones themselves can deform and become arthritic as the cartilaginous disc separating the head of the jaw (the condyle) and the joint space becomes damaged or displaced resulting in painful clicks and pressure.
Hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is common, popping sounds and clicks can be very irritating as well as painful.
Bite irregularities can, of course, be the cause of excessive wear of the teeth and restorations as well as premature loss of crowns and bridges.
For most patients the main problem is chronic headaches which may become debilitating. Pain often manifests itself as toothache and pain in the front area of the face. Hard foods may be difficult to eat and the opening of the mouth is greatly reduced and even at times locked. Trigger pain spots are common around the face and neck.
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Treatment
Most commonly treatment involves drawing the lower jaw forwards and down, to relieve the pressure in the joint space. To do this, carefully designed splints are worn (usually) full time, to re-program the jaw to sit in a better position which relieves the pain and is comfortable to eat and talk. This may be the only treatment necessary but can also be supported with some judicious manipulation. After about four months, the jaw is normally set in a new position that may be stable but may require the posterior teeth to be built up to stabilise the jaw and provide a comfortable chewing base. This may require either orthodontics or restorative procedures or in some cases, both. Occasionally the only possible treatment is surgical but this is rare and the more conservative treatments should always be tried first. Before major restorative or orthodontic treatment is begun, it is suggested by our dentists the jaw position and the jaw joint should be carefully and thoroughly examined. |
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