TMJ DISORDER
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
TMJ Disorder is known as the "Great Imposter" as it can mimic any type of Head, Neck, and Facial Pain.
TMJ (Jaw Joint) noises (clicking or popping), trouble opening or closing the mouth are common signs but TMJ pain is not necessarily present.
Patients with Migraines, Headaches, Tension Headaches, Concussions, Tourette's Syndrome, Dystonia, and MVA can also have TMJ Disorders.
HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE TMJ DISORDER?
DO I HAVE A TMJ PROBLEM?
EYE PROBLEMS
Eye Pain - Eye Pressure - Blurry Vision - Light Sensitivity - Dry/Watery eyes
HEAD PAIN / HEADACHES
Forehead/Temple Headaches - "Tension" Headaches"Migraine" Headaches - Sinus Type HeadachesShooting Pain up back of head - Hair/ Scalp painful to touch
JAW PROBLEMS
Jaw Pain - Jaw Joint Sounds - Clicking - PoppingGrating Sounds
MOUTH PROBLEMS
Mouth Pain - Mouth Locks Open - Mouth Locks ShutJaw deviates on opening - Limited Mouth OpeningTrouble opening mouth
EAR PROBLEMS
Ear pain / Pressure - Clogged / Itchy EarsRinging / Buzzing - Sound SensitivityDizzy Spells - Vertigo - Extra Wax Buildup
TEETH PROBLEMS
Teeth Pain - Teeth Sensitivity - Clenching / GrindingChipped Teeth - Teeth Fracturing
THROAT PROBLEMS
Throat Pain/Fullness - Swallowing DifficultiesVoice Irregularities or changesFrequent coughing /clearing of throatFeeling of foreign object in throat
NECK PROBLEMS
Neck Pain - Stiff / Sore Muscles - Shoulder & Back AchesArm & Finger Numbness/Pain
TMD symptoms can arise from a failure of the TMJ, spine and muscles of the head and neck working correctly together, some TMD can eventually cause more serious conditions and should be addressed and treated as early as possible.
No single treatment has been conclusively found to “cure” TMJ disorders completely. Effective treatment takes time, but Oasis Dental can show you the way from the pain of TMD to a healthier and more comfortable jaw, head and neck.
WHAT IS THE TMJ TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT?
The left and right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull at each side. The temporomandibular joint can become misaligned causing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. The stress caused by any affliction among several temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can cause severe head, neck and jaw pain in patients ranging in age from children, kids and teens to adults and the elderly.
What a Normal TMJ Looks Like
Jaw (TMJ) Clicking/Popping & Doesn't Open Normally (TMJ Disc Displacement with Reduction)
Lock Jaw (Jaw Getting Stuck) & TMJ Noise Stopped (TMJ Disc Displacement without Reduction)
Noisy (Grating Sandpaper Sound) TMJ & TMJ Arthritis (TMJ Degenerative Joint Disease)
TMD can stem from a singular variable or an unfortunate combination. Tightened jaw muscles under the strain of clenching or grinding teeth can severely stress the TMJ. Injuries, disease, and arthritis can directly damage the joint and stretch or tear the attached muscle ligaments, slip the TMJ disc or cartilage out of position.
Whatever the cause, TMD sufferers experience a variety of painful conditions, including a misaligned bite, chronic pain, clicking or grating noises when opening or closing the mouth, and difficulty opening the mouth wide.
OBVIOUS TMJ DYSFUNCTION SYMPTOMS
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Joint sounds (popping, click, or grating)
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Trouble or pain on opening, closing, or chewing
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Jaw feeling stuck or locked
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Clenching or grinding teeth
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Teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn
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Teeth do not fit together properly or bite feels off
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Pressure or headache behind the eyes, over the forehead, or on the side of the head
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Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
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Dizzy spells, blurred vision, ear fullness, ear ringing, or sinus fullness
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Pain or pressure around face, neck, or shoulders
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Neck aches
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Headaches
CLENCHING AND GRINDING
Clenching and Grinding in Kids and Adults: Why should I seek treatment for Bruxism?
Bruxism is an oral parafunctional (abnormal) activity that commonly occurs with most people at some point in their lives. The two main characteristics of this condition are grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw. These actions usually occur during a person’s sleeping hours, especially for adults and children with sleep apnea or an airway restriction. It can occur during the day also.
Bruxism is one of the most common known sleep disorders. Chewing is a neuromuscular activity controlled by a subconscious process, but more highly controlled by the brain. During sleep, the subconscious process may become active while the higher control is inactive (asleep), resulting in bruxism. The most common symptoms are the same as patients with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
Why should I seek treatment for Bruxism?
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Gum Recession – Bruxism is a leading cause of gum recession and tooth loss. Grinding teeth can damage the soft tissue directly and lead to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria are able to colonize and decay the supporting bone.
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Facial Pain – Grinding can eventually shorten and blunt the teeth. This can lead to muscle pain in the myofascial region and, in severe cases, incapacitating headaches.
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Occlusal Trauma – The abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of the teeth can lead to fractures, which if left untreated, may require restorative treatment at a later time.
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Arthritis – In the most severe cases, bruxism can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints that allow the jaw to open and close smoothly.
Treatment Options
Though there is no one cure for bruxism, there are a variety of devices and services available from our office to help treat bruxism.
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Mouthguard – An acrylic mouthguard can be designed from teeth impressions to minimize the abrasive grinding action during normal sleep. Mouthguards are expected to be worn on a long-term basis to help prevent tooth damage.
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NTI-tss Device – This device only covers the front teeth and must be fitted at our office. The idea behind the NTI-tss is to prevent grinding the rear molars by limiting the contraction of the temporalis muscle in the jaw.
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BOTOX® Cosmetic – BOTOX® Cosmetic can be injected into the muscles responsible for bruxing by disabling them enough to prevent grinding, but not enough to disrupt normal functions like speaking and chewing.
Once bruxing is under control, we can perform a variety of dental procedures to restore the pleasant aesthetic appearance of your smile such as crowns, gum grafts, and crown lengthening.
