1 / 8

TMJ OVERVIEW

Understand TMJ

DentistryJohnBarrasDDS
Download Presentation

TMJ OVERVIEW

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge responsible for opening and closing the jaw. The TMJ is located on either side of the face just below the ear, where the jaw meets the skull. Damage to the TMJ can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), often referred to as TMJ. TMJ Overview Jaw pain caused by TMJ/TMD can be crippling, affecting the ability to eat, speak, sleep comfortably, and much more. It’s estimated over 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ/TMDs. Prepared by: DENTISTRY BY JOHN BARRAS, DDS 1330 Post Oak BlvdSuite 1300Houston, Texas 77056 Phone:  713-993-9814 https://www.johnbarrasdds.com TMJ/TMD is believed responsible for millions of missed workdays each year, and even more sleepless nights. Many people have not been diagnosed • TMJ symptoms may be painless, at first • TMJ symptoms vary and may appear unrelated to dentistry

  2. TMDs can develop when the TMJ becomes damaged, inflamed, loses alignment or through trauma. • Damage to or loss of the protective layer of cartilage between the jaw and skull may cause pain and lead to TMJ. • Fractures, dislocations, and other traumas can cause TMJ pain. Traumas can displace the alignment of the jaw, leading to the development of TMJ/TMDs. Traumas often connected to TMJ include: • Whiplash • Impacts to the head and face • Hyper-extension of the jaw muscles • Illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, connective tissue diseases and more can weaken the TMJ. • Alcohol and tobacco consumption, excessive chewing, and overuse of the jaw can cause TMJ. • Overbite, underbite and other hereditary factors may lead to TMJ/TMDs. • Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often linked to TMJ/TMDs. • In many cases, the symptoms of TMJ will continue to increase and worsen over time. Minor inconveniences can develop into severe TMJ. Causes of TMJ

  3. TMJ and Bruxism • TMJ disorders can be caused or aggravated by teeth grinding (bruxism) • Teeth grinding • Can occur during the day or at night. • Can be completely unconscious an action. • Bruxism habits vary and include while driving, reading, writing, or in response to stress. • Many people grind their teeth at night to help maintain a clear airway. • Bruxism can cause damage to teeth and stress on muscles, leading to alignment issues and development of TMJ/TMDs.

  4. Signs and Symptoms of TMJ The symptoms (and severity) of a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: Vary for Each Person Affected Range In Severity, Yet May Increase Over Time Are Not Limited to the Jaw Clicking and Popping of the Jaw Difficulty Eating Trouble Sleeping Facial Pain • One of the top symptoms patients report in connection with TMJ is a "clicking" or "popping" of the jaw when opening or closing their mouth. This can range from mild to severe and may include accompanying pain and discomfort. • Changes in jaw alignment can have reaching effects. Over time, shifts in the jaw place pressure on the skull, throat muscles, and other parts of the face. This can make it challenging to chew and enjoy favorite foods. • Those with TMJ may have trouble falling asleep due to pain, or difficulty remaining asleep because of trouble breathing. During sleep, improper jaw alignment can cause the tongue to block the airway. • Shifts or changes in the dental structure or bite may cause one side of the jaw to over perform, leading to facial muscle fatigue and discomfort. This can cause pain across the face, behind the eyes, and near the temples. TMJ may also cause swelling and tenderness in the jaw area, and around the face

  5. Migraine/Tension Headaches Ear Aches Sinus Pain (Sinusitis) • Migraine headaches. TMJ-induced migraine headaches are often accompanied by nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light, and/or an aversion to loud noises. Migraines have many potential triggers, with TMJ ranking high among them. Following a migraine, sufferers are at higher risk for repeat attacks, leading to chronic conditions. • Tension headaches. Tension headaches linked to TMJ are often the result compensating for the effects of TMJ. TMJ/TMD can place undue stress on facial muscles. The muscles fatigues attempting to compensate for misaligned jaw and/or an uneven bite, leading to muscle tension and discomfort. • Any number of traumas to the TMJ can increase the impact of jaw movement on the ear canal, leading to ear discomfort, or ear aches. Many misinterpret these symptoms as ear infections. A TMD can place pressure on the nerves, causing a ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus). • Overexertion of facial muscles can cause inflammation, placing pressure on the sinuses and leading to discomfort. In many cases, it can be difficult to make the connection between TMJ and a medical condition. Headaches, ear aches, and sinus pain have many potential causes.

  6. Neck, Shoulder, and Back Discomfort Small adjustments to jaw alignment can cause a number of muscle groups in the body to overcompensate. This can often lead to muscle fatigue beginning in the jaw before moving along the vertebrae causing pain and aching in the shoulders, back, hips and more. Long-Term Effects of TMJ Hearing Damage and Loss The area surrounding the ear canal is sensitive and can be affected by the symptoms of TMJ, over time. In severe cases, TMJ can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and other ear damage leading to hearing loss. Dependence on Coping Mechanisms Chronic pain can lead to a dependency on medication, alcohol, or other coping mechanisms for management. TMJ can lead to long-term chronic pain across the jaw and upper body. Addressing the root cause will best alleviate TMJ symptoms.

  7. Correcting bite alignment can help eliminate chronic pain in the face, jaw, and across the upper body. Typical solutions for the permanent treatment of TMJ/TMD include targeted dental procedures, fitted orthotics, and cosmetic dentistry. Permanent TMJ Relief Advanced approaches to treatment allow individualized treatment of TMJ for permanent relief. For many people, TMJ/TMDs can be treated this way. Initial TMJ evaluations are non-invasive.

  8. DENTISTRY BY JOHN BARRAS, DDS 1330 Post Oak BlvdSuite 1300Houston, Texas 77056 Phone:  713-993-9814 https://www.johnbarrasdds.com

More Related