The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your face. These joints help you talk, chew, and yawn. A person has a TMJ disorder when something goes wrong with these joints or the muscles around them.
What Are the Signs of TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint, which is where the head and jaw meet. A misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension may cause problems in this joint. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them, and five muscles are involved in the area. Patients with TMJ problems suffer from discomfort when using these muscles to swallow, speak, and chew.
- Jaw Pain or Tenderness: If you feel pain or soreness in your jaw area, especially when you’re eating, speaking, or simply opening your mouth. This pain might be constant or it might come and go throughout the day. Some people notice the pain is worse in the morning or gets worse as the day goes on.
- Limited Movement or Locking: If your jaw gets “stuck” or “locked” in an open or closed position. This can be scary when it happens. You might find it difficult to open your mouth wide when eating or yawning, or you might not be able to close your mouth completely at times.
- Noticeable Sounds: If you hear clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when you move your jaw. These sounds can sometimes be heard by others around you and may or may not come with pain, and they can happen when you’re talking, eating, or just opening and closing your mouth.
- Facial Pain and Headaches: TMJ disorders often cause pain that spreads beyond the jaw. You might feel pain in your face, temples, or even have frequent headaches, especially in the morning. These can feel similar to tension headaches or migraines.
- Ear Discomfort: Since the TMJ is close to your ears, TMJ disorders can cause ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ears. Some people even think they have an ear infection when the real problem is their TMJ.
- Muscle Fatigue: Tiredness or soreness in the muscles in your face, neck, and shoulders can be a symptom of a TMJ disorder. This happens because these muscles work extra hard when your jaw isn’t functioning properly. You might notice pain or stiffness in your neck and shoulders that seems unrelated to your jaw.
Common TMJ Treatments
Dental treatments are the cornerstone of effective TMJ therapy. Our focus is on providing long-lasting relief through proven dental approaches that address the root causes of TMJ discomfort.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Nightguards and mouthguards are among the most effective treatments for TMJ disorders. Many people grind or clench their teeth during sleep without realizing it, which puts enormous pressure on the jaw joints. A custom-fitted nightguard creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing clenching and grinding while you sleep. This gives your jaw muscles a chance to relax and heal overnight.
Oral splints are another type of appliance that can help reposition your jaw to reduce pain and improve function. These custom-made devices fit over your teeth and gently guide your jaw into a more comfortable position. Unlike over-the-counter options, our professionally crafted oral appliances are designed specifically for your mouth, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Stabilization splints help keep your jaw in a neutral position, taking pressure off the joint and surrounding muscles. These splints are typically worn at night but may be recommended for daytime use in more severe cases. Many patients report significant pain relief within just a few weeks of consistent splint use.
Dental Restoration and Bite Correction
Replacing missing teeth is crucial for proper jaw function. When you’re missing teeth, your bite becomes uneven, forcing your jaw to work harder and shift into unnatural positions. This extra stress can damage your TMJ over time. Dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures can restore proper alignment and significantly reduce TMJ symptoms by providing the support your jaw needs.
Moving teeth with orthodontic treatment might be necessary if your bite is significantly misaligned. When your teeth don’t fit together properly, your jaw has to work harder every time you chew. Braces or clear aligners can gradually move your teeth into better positions, taking pressure off your TMJ and creating a more balanced bite that reduces strain on your jaw joints.
Adjusting the bite by reshaping certain teeth can provide immediate relief. This procedure, called occlusal adjustment, involves carefully reshaping the biting surfaces of teeth that interfere with proper jaw function. By removing tiny amounts of enamel from teeth that hit together too soon when you bite down, your dentist can create a more harmonious bite that allows your jaw to rest in its natural position.
Full mouth reconstruction might be recommended for complex cases. This comprehensive approach combines several dental treatments to completely rebuild your bite. It might include crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontics working together to create an optimal relationship between your teeth, jaw joints, and facial muscles.
Complementary Treatments
Gentle jaw exercises can complement dental treatments by strengthening jaw muscles and improving flexibility. Your dentist can show you specific exercises tailored to your condition that help restore normal jaw movement and function.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort while dental treatments take effect. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can reduce both pain and swelling in the jaw joint area.
Heat or cold therapy can provide temporary relief from TMJ pain. Applying a warm, moist washcloth or ice pack to the side of your face for 10-15 minutes can help relax muscles and reduce inflammation.
Advanced Treatment Options
In rare cases when conservative dental approaches don’t provide enough relief, more advanced treatments might be considered. These could include prescription medications, therapeutic injections, or in extreme cases, surgical intervention. However, the vast majority of our patients find significant improvement through our dental-focused treatment approaches.
If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint. However, with early intervention and proper dental care, surgery is rarely necessary. Our focus is always on providing the least invasive treatment options that effectively address your specific TMJ issues.
Solutions vary for all cases, but we’re committed to helping you find a solution to ease discomfort. The right treatment approach depends on what’s causing your specific TMJ problem and how severe your symptoms are.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
What causes TMJ disorders?
TMJ problems can be caused by many things, including teeth grinding, missing teeth, a misaligned bite, arthritis, or jaw injury. Stress often makes TMJ symptoms worse by increasing muscle tension in the jaw.
How effective are custom oral appliances for TMJ?
Very effective for most patients. Custom-made oral appliances address the root causes of many TMJ disorders by preventing grinding, repositioning the jaw, and allowing strained muscles to heal. Many patients report significant improvement within just a few weeks of consistent use.
How does replacing missing teeth help with TMJ?
Missing teeth can change your bite and force your jaw into unnatural positions when chewing. This puts stress on your TMJ. Replacing missing teeth with implants, bridges, or dentures restores proper alignment and allows your jaw to function normally again.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
The timeline varies depending on your specific condition. Many patients notice improvement within a few weeks of starting treatment with oral appliances. Treatments that involve moving teeth or replacing missing teeth may take several months to complete, but often provide partial relief along the way.
Will my insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Many dental insurance plans cover oral appliances and dental restorations that are part of TMJ treatment. Our team can help you understand what your insurance might cover.
Is TMJ treatment permanent?
While some patients need ongoing management with nightguards or periodic adjustments, many experience long-lasting relief after their bite is corrected through dental restorations or orthodontics. Addressing the underlying cause rather than just managing symptoms leads to the best long-term results.
Get Relief from TMJ Pain
If you think you might have a TMJ disorder, don’t wait for it to get worse. Early treatment can help prevent more serious problems and avoid the need for more invasive procedures down the road. Contact us today at (517) 760-6845 or use our online form to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you find relief from TMJ pain and get back to enjoying life without jaw discomfort.