What is TMJ and What Are the Treatment Options?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, and is a disorder that causes pain and tenderness in the joint where your skull meets the lower jawbone.  According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, roughly 10 percent of people in the United States experience TMJ-related pain.

Some of the most common signs or symptoms of TMJ include aching facial pain or pain around the ear, headache, joint locking, a clicking sound when opening the mouth or chewing, tenderness or pain in the jaw, chewing discomfort and an uneven or uncomfortable bite.

The causes of TMJ are not always clear, but they sometimes can occur if the joint is damaged by arthritis or injury, the muscles are fatigued or the disk moves out of alignment or becomes eroded.

Some of the risk factors for TMJ include jaw or facial trauma, Fibromyalgia, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, facial bone deformity or rheumatoid arthritis.

In terms of treatment, there are several different routes that can be taken, the first being medications.  Muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and corticosteroid drugs are some of the more frequently prescribed types.  Therapies such as bite guards or cognitive behavioral therapy are also sometimes recommended, as well as other procedures such as surgery, corrective dental treatment and arthrocentesis.

Home remedies should also not be overlooked, and stretching, massage, heat or cold, avoiding overuse of the jaw muscles and keeping the jaw muscles relaxed can help provide relief.

If you experience clicking when you move your jaw or chew, have ongoing pain or tenderness in your TMJ, or have facial pain, you should seek medical attention. Your dentist, a TMJ specialist or one of the medical professionals at Allegheny Medical can discuss treatments of TMJ disorders with you.

Photo credit: Arches Tinnitus Formulas