What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint, commonly referred to as the TMJ, is located in the side of a person’s head, just behind the ear, and connects the jawbone to the skull.
It is the joint responsible for the opening and closing of the mouth, as well as many facial movements such as smiling and chewing.
Like with any other joint, strain and overworking on the TMJ can lead to health complications.
What is temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?
Temporomandibular disorder, more commonly known as TMD, refers to a group of diseases that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This dysfunction is interchangeably referred to as either TMD, TMDJ, or TMJ disorder.
TMD is a condition that affects a person’s jaw and, although relatively common, it’s not usually a serious health concern. The disease is characterised by pain, aches, and stiffness in the jaw, which can either worsen over time or heal on its own, depending on a person’s lifestyle.
For more information on what causes TMD, stay on this page and we’ll have all your questions answered.
What causes temporomandibular joint disorder?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD, or just TMD) is a relatively common cranial disease, with around 30% of adults experiencing TMD in some shape or form in their lifetime.
Common causes of TMD include grinding of the teeth, jaw clenching, stress, injury and trauma to the jaw, and medical conditions that affect the joints, such as arthritis. Given the variety of causes, TMD is fairly easy to acquire, but is also treatable.
Research indicates that certain activities that require a clenched jaw, such as playing the violin, can also lead to an increased likelihood of developing TMD and pain in the TMJ.
What are the common TMJ disorder symptoms?
TMJ disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways, all of which bring discomfort and pain in varying levels to the sufferer. To put it simply, TMJ disorder is an unpleasant experience that, if left untreated, can worsen over time.
Common symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, fatigue, face pain, and lockjaw (i.e., difficulty or strain upon opening your mouth). Sufferers also experience pain around the ears and temples, and may occasionally feel clicking or popping noises when moving their jaws.
If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, or if they have recently worsened, it’s time to see your doctor or dentist.
How is TMJ dysfunction diagnosed?
Since the exact causes of TMJ disorder are unclear and the symptoms overlap with other dysfunctions, there is no standard TMJ disorder diagnosis procedure.
Generally, however, the process starts with a discussion of your symptoms and an analysis of your jaw, including the range of motion and the sounds during movement. Next, a review of your medical history is completed before assessing your pain and discomfort in the jaw and head area. Your TMJ expert will ask you a number of questions, such as the frequency and severity of your pain, and if there seems to be a problem, your dentist or doctor will further examine the area using a CBCT scan or MRI.
The results of this examination are then used to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder. Treatment could be as simple as prescribing pain relief or muscle relaxants, or it could include drug-free physical therapies to improve the function of jaw muscles. In more severe cases, surgery may be required.
What treatments are available for TMJ disorders?
Fortunately, there are several TMJ disorder treatments that are available. These range from simple exercises to light surgical procedures, depending on the severity of the disease.
For mild cases, doctors will often prescribe pain relief medication or recommend simple jaw exercises which can strengthen your face muscles and ease the pain. Actively unclenching your jaw is another simple method to avoid further TMD pain.
Dentists can also treat TMJ disorders with soft splints. An impression is made of your lower teeth and a soft retainer is fashioned for you to wear at night. This prevents the effects of grinding and clenching in your sleep, easing the strain on your jaw muscles.
