Main Cause of TMJ
The jawbone is connected to the skull on each side by the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. While “TMJ” is technically the shorthand term for the temporomandibular joint, it’s also used to refer to disorders in this joint. These TMJ disorders can cause pain throughout the jaw, in the joint itself and in the muscles that control its movement. It can be challenging to determine the specific cause of TMJ disorders, which are often due to a combination of factors like nail biting, gum chewing, clenching or grinding of the teeth, stress, or medical conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or jaw injury. In many cases, the discomfort that comes from TMJ is sporadic, lasting for a limited time period, and can be effectively treated with home care methods and physical therapy. In some rare cases, surgical treatment might be recommended after less aggressive interventions have failed.
What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?
- Tenderness or pain in the jaw or in one or both temporomandibular joints
- Pain or ache in or around the ear
- Difficulty chewing or painful chewing
- Pain or ache in the face
- Locking of the TMJ joint
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Headache
- Eye pain
- Neck pain
- Tooth pain, usually accompanied by jaw soreness
- A clicking sound or grinding feeling while chewing
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or fingers
What Are the Common Causes of TMJ?
While a specific cause of TMJ hasn’t been determined, dentists believe that some people are more prone to TMJ disorders because of the muscles in the area or because of issues with the joint itself. If the jaw, the TMJ joint, or the head or neck muscles are injured in an accident or blow, TMJ disorders often arise. Other causes are often derived from excess pressure on the TMJ joint, which can arise during chronic clenching or grinding of the teeth or as a side effect of stress; displacement of the disc between the parts of the joint; or arthritis or other medical conditions. Temporomandibular joint disorders are twice as common in women than in men, though the specific mechanical differences that might account for this difference are still being researched.
How is TMJ Diagnosed?
Because there are so many symptoms of TMJ, and because the causes aren’t completely clear, a key part of diagnosis includes a comprehensive health history review and a thorough physical exam. This exam will include evaluations that pinpoint locations and circumstances of pain and tenderness, note any audible symptoms like popping or grating, test the bite and the mobility of the jaw, and assess the strength and tension of the facial muscles. Images, like x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, may also be used to view the intricacies of the jaws, including the details of the bone and the position of the cartilaginous TMJ disc. Depending on the evidence presented in this examination, additional investigation may be recommended; this additional research might involve arthroscopic surgery. In many cases, TMJ disorders can be treated with at-home therapies and a change of habits. When behavior modification doesn’t work, you may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an orthodontist for additional treatments. See your dentist if you have consistent pain in your jaw, or if you have pain that occurs suddenly and sharply; seek emergency dental care if you can’t open or close your jaw completely, and seek emergency medical attention if jaw pain interferes with your ability to eat or breathe.