TMJ Pain...

WHAT IS THE T.M.J ?

The letters T.M.J are an abbreviation of Temporo-Mandibular Joint, which is the joint between your lower jaw and skull . Movement in this joint enables you to open and close your mouth and chew from side to side .

TMJ pain effects up to 1 in 4 people both men and women are affected equally although more women tend to seek treatment more often than men. The problem can arise from having imperfect occlusion and missing teeth. Most occasions peoples mouths automatically adjust to their problems. Occasionally, in times of increased stress and tension , the symptoms may occur and then go away immediately.

THE SYMPTOMS:

Clenching and grinding your teeth ( most people are not aware that they do this .) This maybe related to anxiety .

Waking up in the morning with an awareness / tenderness about your teeth and jaws, as if you had been clenching or grinding them in your sleep .

Chronic headaches, or chronic head , neck, and shoulder pain .

Recurring pain or discomfort on the side of your face around your ears or jaw joints .

Clicking or difficulty moving jaw joints

loss of back teeth, which may lead to your bite becoming unbalanced.

The symptoms are sometimes collectively referred to as the T.M.J Syndrome.

TREATMENT

If your dentist suspects that your problems are due to an incorrect bite, he may help to diagnose the problem by supplying a hard plastic appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. This appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it , all your teeth meet exactly at the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed. You may have to wear this all the time or just at night. In simple cases you may not need to wear an appliance.

If the appliance relieves your symptoms then your bite will need to be corrected permanently. This can be done by:

Tooth Adjustment

Your teeth may need to be carefully adjusted to meet evenly. Changing the direction and position of the slopes that guide your teeth together can often help reposition the jaw.

Replacement of teeth

The joint needs equal support from both sides of both jaws. Missing teeth may need to be replaced with either a partial denture or bridgework. Replacement is not usually carried out until a diagnosis has been confirmed by use of an appliance and the symptoms fully relieved. Relief in some patients is instant , in others it can take a long time.

Diet and Exercise

As with any joint pain, reduced stress, i.e. soft diet, corrective exercises and external heat can be useful in certain cases.

Ask your dentist or one of the dental team for more information.

Call us for an appointment on 0115 9283253

or email us on info@wollatondentalcare.co.uk