Some Awareness About TMJ And Muscle Disorders

A group of conditions called temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs) are the leading cause of facial pain in the jaw joint, muscles that control jaw movement and supporting tissue.

The disorders cause recurrent or chronic pain and are the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition that results in pain and disability. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, facial pain stemming from TMJDs affect ten million Americans, or approximately five to 12 percent of the population, and are more common among women than men.

Temporo-Mandibular Disorder (TMD) & Muscle Skeletal Disorder (MSD)-an incorrect relationship of the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bones resulting in a malocclusion, also known as a bad bite, may or may not include jaw joint problems.

Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ)-the jaw joint, connecting the lower jaw to the skull, located near the front of the ear. A lot of people make the mistake of ignoring the problem. If they are experiencing chronic pain but put off consultation or treatment, they are likely to end up with additional symptoms and pain that are more difficult to relieve and eliminate.

There is a complex system of muscles, ligaments, bones and temporomandibular joints that connect the upper and lower jaws that control the opening and closing of the mouth and the forward, backward and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw. Any problem that prevents them from working in harmony, such as physical trauma, can result in pain and other problems, although the exact cause of TMJ disorders is often unclear. What to Look For Patients may or may not be aware of the signs of a TMJD, but they are obvious to a trained health practitioner. Some signs include one eye, shoulder, hip or leg that is shorter than the other side, worn or crowded teeth, root erosion and the position of the head.

Common TMJD Symptoms

There are a lot of symptoms that are associated with TMJDs. The most common symptoms are pain while chewing, opening and closing the mouth or touching the muscles and jaw joint. And some people tend to brush off what are actually symptoms of TMJDs as normal.

Some symptoms make sense like a jaw joint that locks when the mouth is opened wide, stiff muscles or limited movement. Some symptoms are auditory like clicking, grating or grinding sounds in the jaw. Other symptoms seem completely unrelated like headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision, eye pain, ringing ears and pain or limited mobility in the neck, shoulder and back.

Length of Treatment For TMJDs If someone suspects that they may have one of these conditions based on the signs and symptoms they are experiencing, consult with a dentist immediately. They can schedule a consultation with Alpan for a thorough review of the signs and symptoms reported on the intake paperwork, an oral and physical exam, and diagnosis and treatment plan.

There is no reliable way to estimate treatment time because patients' needs are drastically different. Some find that one to three treatments alleviate or eliminate symptoms, while others require minor tooth adjustments with orthodontics in addition to the treatments. Patients with severe and persistent symptoms may require more extensive therapy options with a different specialist.