By now many people have heard of "TMJ." The term really is the acronym for the Temporomandibular Joint, and everyone has two of them! When someone refers to "TMJ," they really are describing a dysfunction of their TMJ, or the clinical diagnosis of TMD (Tempormandibular Dysfunction). As that term describes, it is a disease process of the TMJ which can contribute to pain in the jaw, severe headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, shoulder pain, loss of ability to swallow, nausea, and "locked jaw." Patients also have had associated symptoms of malocclusion, snoring and or sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and often have had a severe episode of physical trauma to the head and neck region such as a "whiplash injury"at some time in their lives.
There is no true cure for the problem. There are however, treatments ranging from first line "bite guard" therapy all the way to surgical replacement of the affected joint. The degreee of the dysfunction's severety is the deciding factor that determines the choice of treatment that is best for the patient. Usually if caught early enough, the first line therapy such as "bite gaurds" custom fabricated to fit to the specific bite of the patient, or one which will alter the patient's bite position, often relieves the muscle spasms and relieves the pain so it will suffice as a therapy.
Other first line therapies include the use of NSAIDs medicines or injection therapy into the associated muscles, which will help patients alleviate their pain, relax the muscles, and perhaps allow the muscles to repair themselves. In the past (circa 1980's), full-mouth occlusal adjustments and or reconstruction were advocated without regard to the balance of the patients physiology and anatomy. These methods which subtracted tooth structure from the mouth have gone by the wayside, and dentists treating patients with TMD now follow a more conservative protocol, usually treating them in conjunction with other health specialists such as ENTs, Neurologists, Physical Therapists, and Chiropractors.
Which ever the path chosen for you, always remember be proactive and inquisitive of the therapy proposed and the possible alternatives you may have. Such questions can help you cope and change your life for the better.
