What causes TMJ disorder?

The real causes of TMJ disorder are still unclear to most medical professionals. A lot of factors can contribute to the tightness in the jaw muscles and the dysfunction that characterizes this condition. Here are some of the possible causes of TMJ disorder.

• Teeth or jaw injury
• Teeth or jaw misalignment
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching
• Poor posture
• Arthritis or other inflammatory disorders of the musculoskeletal system
• Excessive gum chewing
• Stress or anxiety
• Orthodontic braces
• Movement of the disc between the ball and socket of the joint
• Partial or full dentures that are not the right fit
• Certain habits such as biting fingernails, pens or pencils

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

The main symptom of TMJ disorder is jaw pain. It may also involve pain in the face, eyes, forehead, ear, or neck. Here are other symptoms and signs of TMJ disorder

• Jaw joint pain or tenderness
• Clicking and popping of the jaw
• Popping and ringing sounds in the ear
• Headaches including migraines
• Jaw which is stiff or sore or neck muscles
• Locking of the jaw joint
• Pain that feels like a toothache
• Blurred vision
• Muscle spasm in the jaw
• Pain in your face, mouth, and cheeks
• Pain at the base of the tongue
• Pain, swelling, or a lump in the temple area
• Difficulty chewing
• Shoulder pain
• Dizziness or vertigo

The cause of your TMJ disorder can determine which or how many of these symptoms you have.

How is TMJ disorder diagnosed?

Before treatment, it is important to diagnose whether the symptoms are related to TMJ disorder. The reason for this is that many other conditions exhibit the same type of symptoms. Examples of conditions with these symptoms include tooth decay, arthritis, sinus problems, or gum disease. To determine what is causing your symptoms, the dentist needs to check your medical history and conduct a physical exam.

Your dentist will check your jaw joints for pain or tenderness. He will listen for pops, clicks, or grating sounds when you move them. He will make sure that your jaw is working properly and that it does not lock when you open or close your mouth. Then, he will also test your bite and check problems with your facial muscles.

A full-face x-ray needs to be taken by your dentist so that he can view your jaws, your temporomandibular joints, and teeth so that other problems can be ruled out. He may also take a cast of your teeth to see how your bit fits together. Sometimes, he may request for a specialized x-ray like an MRI or a CT scan so that he can find out if the temporomandibular joint disc is in the proper position as your jaw moves or to show details of the joint bone.

In the majority of cases, the patient's description of the symptoms together with the physical examination conducted by the dentist made on the jaw and face will provide information that is very useful for diagnosing if TMJ disorder is present or not.

How is TMJ disorder treated?

Medical treatment for TMJ disorders includes medication, dental splints, dental work, and surgery, in severe cases Although these medical treatments will not necessarily cure TMJ disorder, it can help get your relief temporarily or even long term from the pain symptoms.