What is the TMJ? What is a TMJ Disorder?
- TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint. It is the joint that connects your jaw, or mandible, to your skull. The joint is located right in front of your ears. You use the TMJ each time you talk, chew, yawn, or open and close your mouth.
- A TMJ disorder (TMD) refers to any problem affecting the joint or the muscles around it. This can be associated with pain or difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
- Signs and symptoms
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds when moving your jaw
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Headaches, ear pain, or face pain
- TMJ problems are fairly common, estimated to affect 10% of the population. TMJ problems are more common in teenagers and adults. They are also more common in women than men.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
- TMJ disorders are most commonly caused by overuse of the jaw joint and its associated muscles, such as from jaw grinding and clenching or other habits like nail biting or even singing and excessive talking.
- TMJ disorders can also be caused from accidents and injuries to the head and neck, such as falls, sports accidents, or even whip lash events.
- In addition, TMJ disorders can occur from an inflammatory or autoimmune disease that attacks the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or lupus.
- There is also research that patients with other chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, headaches and migraines, and chronic low back pain are more likely to have a TMJ disorder.
- Other medical conditions that can increase your risk of developing a TMJ problem include untreated anxiety, depression, and PTSD or conditions that cause poor sleep quality, such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
How Are TMJ Disorders Diagnosed?
- TMJ disorders can be accurately diagnosed with a thorough history and interview and clinical examination with a board-certified orofacial pain specialist. The clinical examination will assess for cranial nerve function, mandibular range of motion, and tenderness of the joints, muscles, and tendons of the head and neck.
- Depending on the results of the interview and examination, Dr. Bavarian may order additional imaging, such as a CT scan of the face or an MRI of the TMJ or brain. In some cases, bloodwork may be helpful to test for a possible autoimmune or inflammatory disease.
How Do We Treat TMJ Disorders?
- The treatment of TMJ disorder depends on the specific subtype of TMJ disorder you have. Treatment can include custom fabricated occlusal orthotic appliances (which may be called a “splint” or “night guard”), anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxant medications, jaw stretching exercises, and physical therapy.
- In some cases, injection-based treatments targeting the affected muscle or joints may be indicated, such as a trigger point injection or Botox injection.