TMJ is the temporomandibular joint located on each side of the head that connects the top of the skull to the mandible, or the moving lower part of the mouth known as the jaw. These joints are engaged when you’re chatting on the telephone, taking a sip of coffee, or yawning at your desk. Although you may not even realize you’re using these joints, TMJ disorders can cause issues for a number of people.
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TMJ vs. TMD: What’s the Difference?
The TMJ is in front of the earlobe, a common spot where people experience pain. It’s made up of the skull and the ball of the mandible, called the condyle. Similar to the meniscus in your knee, a disc sits in between the skull and the condyle to help with lubrication and movement. Most of the time when people have TMJ pain, or even just clicking or popping, it’s because of that disc.
While TMJ is the actual joint itself, TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) refers to the disorder that causes pain, popping, clicking, or other jaw discomfort. Although there may be a plethora of causes, it’s a common issue for many patients. According to the National Institute of Health, an estimated 10 million Americans are affected by TMJ disorders.
What Causes TMD?
Although the exact cause of TMD is unknown, it’s mainly theorized to be caused by trauma. This could include falling and hitting your chin or the side of your face, a car accident, or getting punched in the face. Anatomically, TMD usually occurs when the disc is displaced a certain way, either behind or in front of the condyle. Or, it can be degraded so much that there’s bone-to-bone contact, which causes pain.
Enough degradation can cause crepitus, which is a crackling or crunch-like sound. In patients with TMD this occurs when you open and close your jaw. Along with trauma, repetitive habits like chewing gum, sucking hard candy, and clenching or grinding teeth can also lead to TMJ disorders. Stress and arthritis are other factors that can contribute to TMD.
TMD Symptoms
Symptoms of TMD are different for everyone and can affect either one or both sides of the face. Common symptoms include:
- Jaw discomfort, tenderness, or pain
- Popping, clicking, or cracking sounds during jaw movements
- Difficulty opening mouth and limited range of motion
- Facial pains or aches
Are You at Risk?
TMJ disorders can affect anyone, but especially those with previous trauma. People with a family history of TMD and those who’ve experienced facial trauma have a higher risk of developing future problems. The risk also increases with age.
Can TMD Symptoms Be Delayed?
Even if you haven’t had a traumatic event recently, TMD symptoms can be delayed. For example, you may have had a small tear in the disc and not realized it. Eventually, that minor tear can develop into a bigger one and start to cause issues down the road.
How to Treat TMJ Disorders
While TMJ disorders are curable, you can’t regain the disc. You can increase function and reduce pain, but it will probably always be something you have to manage. The good news is that there are several treatments that can provide relief and improve symptoms.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, after identifying that a patient has TMD, we first evaluate and determine whether it’s a joint issue or a muscle issue. Overactive muscles can cause people to clench their teeth. Whether it’s muscular or in the joint, we recommend an occlusal splint for almost all cases. If that alone doesn’t help, we then move into further treatment options.
An Occlusal Splint
For patients with little to no pain, we start them out with an occlusal splint, also known as a night guards. Occlusal splints are a piece of acrylic that goes between the teeth. They’re usually worn at night during sleep to keep the jaw in a more relaxed position and prevent grinding. Occlusal splints help keep the jaw slightly open, which is better for the muscles and the joint. At Cedarwood, we make custom night guards for our patients as over-the-counter ones can actually make the issue worse.
NSAIDs
If there’s any specific pain with the joint, we then suggest additional treatment. For these patients, we put them on a regiment of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as Anaprox, which helps alleviate swelling and relieve pain. A soft diet with limited opening for 10 days is also recommended for patients with jaw pain.
Oral Surgery
If pain continues after treatment or if future problems arise, such as lockjaw, we refer patients to an oral surgeon specializing in treating TMD. An oral surgeon may start with a muscle relaxer or Botox if it’s a muscular issue, or surgical options are available. This could include washing out the joint or replacing the entire joint, which is less common.
Look to Cedarwood for All Your Oral Health Needs
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we seek to provide personalized, compassionate care from infancy all the way to old age. As a family dental practice in Midlothian, Virginia, we provide services that span all oral health needs from preventative care to cosmetic dentistry to emergency dental work. And for any complex issues requiring a specialist, we are partnered with great providers in the Midlothian and Greater Richmond region to refer our patients to the best providers, while maintaining our relationship with our patients. If you’re looking for a dental provider that can help you manage jaw pain, tooth maintenance, and more, reach out to Cedarwood.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.