General Information About TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders, or temporomandibular joint disorders, is actually a broad, generalized term that refers to problems with the jaw. It is an extremely complex condition, creating all manner of symptoms and health problems for the people who suffer from it. The temporomandibular system is made up of three components:

• The Temporomandibular Joint
• The Teeth
• The Neuromuscular System

Temporomandibular joints, or TMJ is a term used for the joints that work the lower jaw, or mandible. These two joints are located directly in front of the ears. These mandible joints never work alone--when one moves, so does the other. A small cartilage disk lies between the lower part of the skull and the skull, in the joint itself. Think of this disk as a sort of shock absorber. If it isn’t functioning correctly, there will be problems.

Some of the symptoms associated with TMJ include:

• Jaw pain with or without jaw stiffness
• Headaches which are normally focused at the temples and sides of head
• Tooth soreness or toothaches that move around in the mouth
• Sensitive teeth
• Painful jaw
• Difficulty in opening jaw
• Pain when chewing 
• Pops, clicks, or grinding sound in the jaw joint
• Ear pain
• Cervical neck tension and/or pain
• Excessive tooth wear
• Grinding/clenching teeth while asleep or awake
• Breaking or cracking of teeth for no apparent reason
• A history of migraine headaches

The pain and various symptoms of TMJ may take many forms. Basically, if you experience any of the symptoms noted above, you may have this condition. Just as the symptoms are varies, so are the possible causes. TMJ might be caused from trauma, stress, malocclusion of the teeth, or “bad bite”, ergonomic cause such as holding your head in a particular position in front of the computer and bruxism. Bruxism is grinding and/or clenching of the teeth while asleep or awake, more commonly while sleeping. Bruxism is the most common cause of TMJ.

A condition with so many symptoms and causes must, by necessity, have a variety of treatments. Some of the most widely used treatments for TMJ include:

• Moist heat
• Medication
• Exercises
• Physical therapy
• Occlusal adjustment of the teeth
• Stress management
• Jaw rest

A dentist can help diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. Contact our Nashua cosmetic dentistry center for further information.