The temporo-mandibular joint, or TMJ for short, is the name of the joint where the lower jaw, or mandible, joins the temporal bone of the skull, directly in front of the ears at the sides of the head. Similar to the knee joint, a small bit of cartilage separates these bones. Throughout the course of a normal day, we use the TMJ joint hundreds of times, each time we chew, talk, swallow, etc. With this many important, frequent, and easily taken for granted motions, the TMJ, a complex joint to say the least, absorbs perhaps more use and movement than any other joint in the human body.
Miami TMJ treatment is available at The Dental Office of Stephen A. Samson, D.M.D. for patients who are suffering from the painful side effects of TMJ disorder.
TMJ Symptoms
Due to the frequency of use with this joint, patients experiencing trouble or discomfort in this area will find a great deal of potential pain on a consistent basis. Related to problems with the TMJ, patients may experience neck and head pain, locking of the jaw, difficulty in opening the jaw, ear pain or ringing, sore jaw muscles, biting problems, swelling on one or both sides of the face, trouble swallowing, potentially frequent head and neck aches and clicking or popping noises during chewing or biting.
As is the case with any joint, operating under the same laws that govern a lever and a fulcrum in the study of physics, a tremendous amount of force is applied to the surface of the joint, and consequently, to whatever is being chewed. In order to manage normal wear and tear on the joint, cartilage inside the joint is supposed to provide a smooth surface to lessen friction and create a healthy jaw function. Whenever this disc of cartilage is somehow displaced, the patient may feel pain in the joint, and complain of any of the symptoms listed above. Additionally, there are a number of muscles that aid in jaw function, lessening the effect of repeated wear and tear on the jaw, which also may experience soreness and tension. For patients who grind their teeth at night, clench the jaw frequently, chew gum habitually or experience higher levels of consistent stress, the rate at which the TMJ is in use may be higher, and consequently there is often a much higher potential to experience problems in the jaw area.
TMJ Treatment
There are many solutions to
problems with TMJ, including a soft food diet to allow for rest in the jaw area, ceasing to chew gum, avoiding tensing of the jaw, stress management and reduction and mouth guards at night for those who chronically grind their teeth. Patients who experience far greater degrees of pain should consult their dentist, who may find it necessary to recommend a consultation with an oral surgeon to explore solutions that are more advanced.