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- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
- By: PATRICIA WOLOCH
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. The TMJ is located in front of the ear on each side of the head. These joints are flexible, and they allow the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side, allowing you to chew, yawn and talk. However, when there are problems with the joints or if you have suffered an injury to your jaw, an injury to the joint itself, or an injury to the muscles of the head and neck, a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) may be the result. The symptoms of TMD are numerous and painful and include: •Migraine like headaches •Stiff and/or painful jaw muscles •Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) •A feeling of pressure in the ears •Popping and clicking noises of the jaw •Locking of the jaw •Limited jaw movement •Facial pain •Difficulty swallowing •Neck, shoulder and back pain •Numbness of the fingers Often times people go to their general doctor with these symptoms, and doctors often do not have the specialized training that a neuromuscular dentist has. Neuromuscular dentistry is the dental specialization that focuses on placing the jaw in its optimal position. Neuromuscular dentists work with the hard and soft tissues and muscles and nerves of the jaw and surrounding area. A good neuromuscular dentist will realign your bite, which, in turn, will resolve the painful symptoms of TMD. Migraine Like Headaches One of the most debilitating symptoms of this disorder is severe, migraine like headaches. Although these are not actually migraine headaches, sufferers of TMD will tell you that the pain is very similar to that of a full-blown migraine headache. TMD causes these headaches because the trigeminal nerve is one of the most powerful nerves in the human body. The trigeminal nerve is completely responsible for TMJ and tooth functions, and it accounts for over forty percent of the brain’s processing. This complex nerve system has three branches, which affect various parts of your face, head, shoulders and arms. Because of the vastness of this nerve, the pain and muscle tightness associated with TMD can even affect the feeling in your hands and fingers. The migraine like headaches of TMD may be dull and constant or sharp and searing in nature. The pain is typically right over the joint, but can radiate elsewhere and even cause muscle spasms of the face and jaw. TMD Treatments Thankfully there are treatment options available for TMD at your neuromuscular dentist’s office. Of course, your treatment plan will depend on your unique set of symptoms and thorough evaluation. The goal of treatment is to minimize your pain and return your jaw to a proper position thereby alleviating the symptoms you may have suffered because of TMD. Neuromuscular dentistry does not only treat your symptoms, it actually corrects the problems. Your treatment plan may include any of the following: •Resting your jaw by avoiding gum chewing, nail biting and crunch foods •Occlusal splints (also called mouth pieces or mouth guards). Occlusal splints may be custom-made for you to protect your teeth from wear and tear and prevent you from grinding your teeth at night. Most people wear their splints only at night, but in some severe cases wearing them during the day may be necessary. •Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed •Moist heat applied to the TMJ will promote blood flow into the area, which will aid in healing and relaxing your joint •Exercises and physical therapy will also help relax the muscles and increase joint flexibility •Surgery, in the most severe cases, may be performed If you live in Braintree, Massachusetts or a surrounding area and would like to learn more about TMD, please visit the website of Pinnacle Dental Aesthetics.