Submitted by, J. Todd Gray, DDS, Koala Center for Sleep Disorders
What if one day you notice that you can’t open your mouth wide enough to eat a club sandwich? Or you find yourself taking medication far too often for a recurring headache and stiff shoulders? Or don’t enjoy eating certain foods because it hurts to chew, and you find yourself ordering soup instead? These are some of the signs of a TMJ disorder. The term is a catchall for a variety of disorders relating to the temporomandibular joints or TMJ’s. Many people suffer from headaches, earaches, face, neck and back pain, or dizziness without ever really knowing the cause of their pain. Patients are often unsuccessful in finding a medical treatment for their discomfort and therefore learn to live with pain, often with the aid of medications.
A known condition that accounts for a large percentage of these patients is TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Some estimates suggest that as high as 20 percent of the American population possesses one or more of the symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder.
What are TMD and TMJ?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are often called “TMJ” by doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, patients, and even insurance companies although the term TMJ actually only refers to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) themselves. The TMJ, which lies just in front of the ears, is a complex system of bone, cartilage, muscle, and nerve that, when working properly, gives the jaw tremendous versatility and strength. When the joint is abused by teeth grinding, injured by a blow to the jaw or head, or weakened by age, jaw pain can result. Stress, trauma, a bad bite, or arthritis can strain the jaw beyond design.
Your lower jaw is attached to the head and neck by numerous muscles. A vicious cycle characteristic of TMJ disorders is triggered: disharmony between the TMJ, muscles, and teeth leads to muscle spasm producing pain, muscle tenderness, and tissue damage. The pain makes you feel tense and uptight. This worsens the muscle spasm, which in turn increases the pain. The end result is the balance of the head, neck, and shoulders are affected, which in turn alters the posture and function of the rest of the body.
TMD symptoms
TMD can produce a myriad of symptoms which, at first glance, might appear to be totally unrelated to the TMJ’s. These symptoms can include:
- Headaches over the eye, in the temples, behind the eyes, and at the base of the skull
- Generalized facial pain as well as more specific pain directly in front of the ears
- Ear symptoms including ringing, buzzing, congestion, as well as pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Clicking or grating noises of the jaw joint with movement
- Locking of the jaw or pain in the jaw with function are frequently encountered
- Many people have worn teeth or unexplained toothaches or sensitivity
Sufferers may not possess all of these symptoms. However, it is most certainly possible that they may.
These symptoms, appearing unrelated, are frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as migraine, tension headache, neuralgia, or stress. It is common for a TMD sufferer to visit several doctors in search of an answer. Because of its complexity, this disorder is often called “the great imposter.” The symptoms can mimic so many other diseases that sorting out the true cause can be difficult. Often, TMD is only diagnosed after the patient has been through numerous medical tests to rule out serious disorders such as brain tumors, neurological disorders, and psychological disorders.
Treatment for TMD
The treatment for TMD depends on the diagnosis. In the past, treatment was limited to muscle relaxants, pain killers, and night guards. In extreme cases, surgery of the joint was performed, but the success was variable. With more modern techniques, treatment has become more predictable and comfortable, and rarely requires surgery.
If you think you may have TMD, ask yourself the following questions.
- Do you grind or clench your teeth?
- Do you have frequent headaches?
- Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
- It is difficult or painful to open widely, to move your jaw from side to side, eat, or yawn?
- Are your neck and shoulder muscles stiff, sore, or tender to pressure?
- Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?
- Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
- Have you had unexplained toothaches?
- Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
- Do you have ringing, stuffiness, pain, or buzzing in your ears?
- Do you frequently feel dizzy?
- Do you have trouble sleeping through the night?
- Have you ever suffered an injury to your face, head, or neck?
The more times you answered “yes,” the more likely it is that you may have a TMJ disorder. Since some types of TMD problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.
For more information, contact the Koala Center for Sleep Disorders by calling 309-319-6568 or visit their website at bloomingtonsleep.com. Dr. Gray has dedicated his practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea and TMJ disorders with oral appliance therapy. The custom-made appliances are covered by most major medical plans and Medicare. The Koala Center for Sleep Disorder accepts appointments without referrals but will work with your physician throughout treatment.