The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, is responsible for the mechanics of the jaw, allowing for biting, chewing, speaking, yawning, and more. The TMJ hinges and, unlike any other joint in the body, glides as well. It’s also the only joint where the left and the right sides must work at the same time in order for it to function properly. In short, it’s a complex joint that’s worked hard throughout the day.
When this complex joint ceases to work properly, a disorder develops. You may have heard people say “I have TMJ.” What they’re really saying is they have TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD can be due to intra-articular causes (that come from the joint itself) or extra-articular causes (that come from strain on the muscles outside of the joint).
TMD is common and can cause a wide variety of problems, but can usually be treated successfully. Here are some common TMD and/or TMJ symptoms and some treatment options.
TMD/TMJ Symptoms
- Clicking, popping, or a “gritty” noise in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth all the way
- Pain and tenderness in the jaw joint
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Ear pain
- “Stuffy” feeling in the ear
- Tinnitus
- Visual problems
- Unrestful sleep
Looking at this list, some of the symptoms make a lot of sense, while others don’t. It’s easy to see how a problem with the jaw joint could cause clicking or pain in the jaw joint. But how can it cause shoulder pain, back pain, and tinnitus? Many of the muscles and nerves of the jaw are connected to these areas, too, allowing the pain to manifest in other parts of the body. Also, when people experience pain, they may unconsciously tense up or hold themselves in a certain posture to ease the pain, and over time that posture can put strain on other muscles of the body.
Because people don’t expect the jaw to be the source of the pain in their head, ear, shoulder, etc., they may live with the pain for months or even years. However, once they connect the pain with the source, they have options to alleviate it.
Treatment Options for TMD
There are several options for treating TMD. The one that’s right for you will depend on the underlying cause of the problem.
Medication. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers can ease the pain of TMD. This is best for sudden and recent onset TMD, but isn’t a good long-term solution.
Fixing dental issues. If a crown or filling is too high or too wide, it can throw the bite off, leading the TMD. In these cases, a simple fix of the crown or filling is all that’s needed to fix the problem.
Custom bite splints. These removable dental appliances, which look like a night guard or mouth guard, are very effective at treating TMD and are a good first step before moving on to more invasive options. They not only protect teeth from excessive wear, but they can also improve the bite over time.
Orthodontics. If the bite is off and needs more than a simple bite splint to correct it, then orthodontic treatment is a good option.
Injections. Injections of steroids and even Botox can be used to treat pain resulting from TMD.
Surgery. Surgery on the jaw joint is occasionally an option but it doesn’t have a great success rate for long-term relief. Other treatment methods should be exhausted before moving on to surgery.
Address Your TMJ Symptoms Now
Untreated TMD can lead to the symptoms listed above as well as wear and tear on the jaw joint and damage to the teeth, which is why it’s important to take care of it promptly. If you suspect you have TMD, speak with your dentist and make a plan of action. With so many treatment options, there’s no need to continue to suffer.