TMJ / TMD
Alphabet soup
People (including dentists and physicians) use terms like TMJ, TMD, CMD, MPD to refer to a group of signs and symptoms which revolve around the most complex joint in the human body. While TMD, CMD, MPD would be correct in describing this medical condition “TMJ” is just an abbreviation for the actual anatomic structure – the “temporomandibular joint.” These joints, as well as muscles and bones, are the structures that allow us to open & close our mouth. They must work in a very balanced, harmonious way when we chew, speak, or swallow.
TMD is a medical problem and is often a chronic and frequently degenerative condition. It can arise due to problems with one’s bite, muscle strain or postural imbalances, trauma to the head, neck and facial area. It often has widespread consequences over the rest of the body. It is often referred to as “the great imposter” because its signs and symptoms can mimic dozens of other disorders. Women of child-bearing age are most often affected, but men and children can suffer from TMD-related pain too.
How does TMD relate to your teeth and your bite?
Sometimes the upper and lower teeth do not come together in properly. This may result from a missing tooth or mis-aligned teeth. Everyone and everything gives at its weakest point. If your bite is not balanced, your body may adapt for awhile, but eventually something will breakdown. This can show as teeth wearing or cracking, muscle pain or fatigue, and/or damage or malfunction in the jaw joint.
How are the muscles and jaw joint affected?
When your bite is unstable, your muscles must work harder and this makes them feel tired and stiff. This continued strain makes the muscles feel painful and you begin to feel tense & uptight. Ideally your upper and lower teeth should touch each time you chew or swallow. Since we swallow over 2000 times a day besides our chewing it is not hard to see how an unbalanced bite can cause muscle tension (spasm) and pain. The tighter the muscles get the more the pain increases This begins a vicious cycle of pain, muscle tenderness and tissue damage. An unbalanced bite can also cause jaw joint displacement, muscle strain and pain. When the jaw joint is displaced for an extended time this can affect the actual position (posture) of the head. The body begins to compensate and adapt by involving the muscles of the neck, back, and often the arms, pelvis, and legs. Remember the song “Dry Bones”. . . With the hip bone connected
to the back bone, and the back bone connected to the neck bone, and the neck bone connected to the head bone. Oh mercy how they scare! As this disorder progresses symptoms begin to arise, as well as physical signs of the system wearing out and breaking down.
Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) to include:
- Headaches / migraines
- Facial pain
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Depression
- Trigeminal Neuralgia (tic douloureux)
- Bell’s Palsy
- Sensitive and sore teeth
- Jaw pain
- Limited jaw movement or locking jaw
- Numbness in the fingers and arms (related to the cervical musculature and nerves, not to TMD)
- Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
- Jaw joint pain
- Clenching/bruxing
- Tender sensitive teeth
- A limited opening or inability to open the mouth comfortably
- Deviation of the jaw to one side
- The jaw locking open or closed
- Postural problems
- Chiropractic problems that do not respond well to treatment
- Tingling in the hands or fingertips
- Pain in the joint(s) or face when opening or closing the mouth, yawning, or chewing
- Pain in the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joints
- Pain in the occipital (back), temporal (side), frontal (front), or infra-orbital (below the eyes) portions of the head
- Pain behind the eyes
- Swelling on the side of the face and/or mouth
- A bite that feels uncomfortable, “off,” or as if it is continually changing
- Cracked Teeth
- Missing Teeth
- Severely Worn Teeth
Dr John J. Bonica, author of the classic text, “Management of Pain” stated that, “hundreds of thousands of suffering patients are not getting the relief they deserve. Others are subjected to a very high risk of accidental complications from improper therapy – like narcotic addiction, multiple, often useless, at times mutilating operations. Some of course give up medical care and go to quacks and waste a lot of money, and some even commit suicide.” With more than $1.2 billion spent on prescription pain relievers and 700 million man-days of work lost each year, the consequences of failing to accurately diagnose and treat TMD are very significant for patients.
What treatment is available?
Treatment of TMD is available through the discipline of Neuromuscular Dentistry. Contact us at Waterloo Heights Dental Center in West Salem, WI to schedule a consultation. Let us help you lead a healthier, happier and pain-free life.
