TMJ Problems
The temporomandibular joint is located just in
front of your ears. If you place your fingers in this spot and open your
mouth, you can feel its movement. When you open your mouth, the rounded
ends of the lower jaw (condyles) first open like a hinge. As you open
wider, they glide forward. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc lies
between the condyle and the temporal bone. This disc absorbs shock to the
temporomandibular joint from chewing and other movements. Chewing creates
a strong force. This disc distributes the forces of chewing throughout the
joint space.
When you have TMJ pain, often it comes from the
muscles that operate your jaw. They can be stressed and can be in spasm.
Pain can also come from damage to the disc, dislocation of the disc, or
arthritic changes to the joint. It requires a great deal of expertise to
diagnose the source of pain and then to treat it in these cases.
Causes of TMJ Disorders
Trauma is a frequent cause of these disorders. And there are two types of
trauma that can occur, acute or chronic.
Acute trauma, also called macrotrauma, is from a
single event. An automobile accident, a punch in the jaw, or a traumatic
wisdom tooth extraction can all damage either the joint or the disc.
Chronic trauma, or microtrauma, comes from habits.
Bruxism is the habit of grinding and clenching the teeth. This continual hammering on the temporomandibular joint can
change the alignment of the teeth. Muscle involvement causes inflammation
of the membranes surrounding the joint. Pain can thus come from the joint
itself or from the muscles. Often, people who are bruxers aren't even
aware of the habit, because they do it in their sleep. Causes of bruxism
include ordinary stress or misalignment of the teeth.
Symptoms
Pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints may radiate to the neck or
shoulders. Joints may be overstretched. You may experience muscle spasms. You may feel pain every time you talk, chew, or yawn. Pain
usually seems to come from the joint itself, in front of the ear, but it may move
elsewhere in the skull, face, or jaw.
TMJ may cause ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss.
Sometimes people mistake TMJ pain for an ear problem, such as an ear
infection, because the ear is so close to the joint.
When the joints move, you may hear sounds, such as clicking, grating,
or popping. They may be loud enough for others to hear. Clicking and
popping are common when the disc is displaced. If there is no pain
associated with the sounds, no treatment may be needed.
Your face and mouth may swell on the affected side.
The jaw may become dislocated and lock wide open, or it may not open
fully at all. Also, upon opening, the lower jaw may deviate to one side.
You may find yourself favoring one painful side or the other by opening
your jaw awkwardly. These changes could be sudden. Your teeth may not fit
properly together, and your bite may feel odd.
You may have trouble swallowing because of the muscle spasms.
If severe, headache and dizziness may be caused by TMJ,
enough so that you may feel nauseous or
vomit.
Other information:
Visit
Dr. Chal's web site—see impressive photos of his work and read the
testimonials of grateful patients.
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