does anyone know of the jaw problem called TMJ? It's a disorder. And I need to know what to expect, what is

Question

the treatment? Please help.

Answer 1

I too have TMJ and it does cause headaches and can lead to pain in the jaw as well as lock jaw. I had migraines so bad that I could not function for days so I chose to have surgery for mine and have not had any major issues since then.
I still have the occasional migraine but nothing like I had before the surgery.

This is from the dictionary.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD, TMJ or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment. Because the disorder transcends the boundaries between several health-care disciplines—in particular, dentistry, neurology, physical therapy and psychology—there are a variety of quite different treatment approaches.

The temporomandibular joint is susceptible to all the conditions that affect other joints in the body, including ankylosis, arthritis, trauma, dislocations, developmental anomalies and neoplasia. Although treatment is often similar to other joints in the body, some variations exist.

Here are the treatments listed.
Treatment

Restoration of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth
If the occlusal surfaces of the teeth have been damaged through dentistry or accidental trauma, the proper occlusion must be restored through modification of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth.

Pain relief
While conventional analgesic pain killers such as paracetamol or NSAIDs provide initial relief for some sufferers, the pain is often more neuralgic in nature which often does not respond well to these drugs.

An alternative approach is for pain modification, for which off-label use of low-doses of Tricyclic antidepressant that have anti-muscarinic properties (e.g. Amitriptyline or the less sedative Nortriptyline) generally prove more effective

Long term approach
It is suggested that before the attending doctor commences any plan or approach utilizing medications or surgery a thorough search for inciting para-functional jaw habits must be performed. Correction of any discrepancies from normal can then be the primary goal.

An approach to eliminating para-functional habits involves the taking of a detailed history and careful physical examination. The medical history should be designed to reveal duration of illness and symptoms, previous treatment and effects, contributing medical findings, history of facial trauma and a search for habits that may have produced or enhanced symptoms. Particular attention should be directed in identifying perverse jaw habits such as clenching or teeth grinding, lip or cheek biting, or positioning of the lower jaw in an edge to edge bite. All of the above puts strain of the muscles of mastication (chewing) and resultant jaw pain. Palpation of these muscles will cause a painful response.

Treatment is oriented to eliminating oral habits, physical therapy to the masticatory muscles and alleviating bad posture of the head and neck. A flat plane full coverage oral appliance, e.g. a non-repositioning stabilisation splint, often is helpful to control bruxism and take stress off the temporomandibular joint, albeit the fact that some individuals may bite harder on it resulting in a worsening of their conditions. The anterior splint with contact at the front teeth only may then prove helpful.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), TMJ treatments should be reversible whenever possible. That means that the treatment should not cause permanent changes to the jaw or teeth.Examples of reversible treatments are:

Over-the-counter pain medications, used according to manufacturers’ instructions.
Prescription medications prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Gentle jaw stretching and relaxation exercises you can do at home. Your healthcare provider can recommend exercises for your particular condition, if appropriate.
Stabilization splint (biteplate, nightguard) is the most widely used treatment for TMJ and jaw muscle problems. However, the actual effectiveness of these splints is unclear. If an oral splint is recommended, it should be used only for a short time and should not cause permanent changes in the bite. If a splint causes or increases pain, stop using it and tell your healthcare provider. Avoid using over-the-counter mouthguards for TMJ treatment. If a splint is not properly fitted, the teeth may shift and worsen the condition.
Mandibular Repositioning Devices can be worn for a short term to help alleviate symptoms related to painful clicking when opening the mouth wide but 24 hour wear for long term may lead to changes in the position of the teeth which can complicate treatment. A typical long term permanent treatment (if the device is proven to work especially well for the situation) would be to convert the device to a flat plane bite plate fully covering either the upper or lower teeth and to be used only at night. Full mouth reconstruction, or building up of teeth to achieve the proper bite relation is not supported by strong evidence based studies.

Surgical
Irreversible Treatments According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, of the National Institutes of Health, irreversible treatments have not been proven to work and may make the problem worse. Examples of irreversible treatments are:

Manual adjustment of the bite by grinding the teeth.
Mandibular repositioning splints which move the jaw, ligaments and muscles into a new position.
Extensive dental work such as crown and bridge work to balance the bite.
Orthodontics
Surgical procedures
Replacement of the jaw joint(s) or disc(s) with TMJ implants should be considered only as a treatment of last resort. TMJ implants are intended to improve jaw function. Pain alone is not a reason to undergo a TMJ replacement procedure; often, after surgery, the pain level stays the same or even increases.TMJ implants may also cause permanent damage.

Further surgery following two previous procedures generally has a poor outlook for normal, pain-free joint function. Attempts in the last decade to develop surgical treatments based on MRI and CAT scans now receive less attention. These techniques are reserved for the most recalcitrant cases where other therapeutic modalities have changed. Exercise protocols, habit control, splinting, or more recently neuromuscular dentistry should be the first line of approach, leaving oral surgery as a last resort. Certainly a focus on other possible causes of facial pain and jaw immobility and dysfunction should be the initial consideration of the examining oral-facial pain specialist, oral surgeon or health professional. One option for oral surgery, is to manipulate the jaw under general anaesthetic and wash out the joint with a saline and anti-inflammatory solution in a procedure known as arthrocentesis. In some cases, this will reduce the swelling of the joint, and allow for fluid movement when the jaw opens and closes.

Check out this website. it may help.. http://www.tmj.org/

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Here is some information from reliable medical sites:

From the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tmj-disorders/DS00355

From the National Library of Medicine:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm

From the UCSF Medical Center:
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/oral/tmj/index.html

You might also wish to consult with a dentist or oral surgeon in your area. You can check the directory of accredited dentists listed by the American Dental Association.
http://www.ada.org/public/directory/index.asp


Rebecca Cooper, Librarian.
Didn't find an answer on Answers? The next time you have a question, why not stop by, call, IM, or email your local library for a fast, free, and *reliable*? After all, libraries have been providing quality information for hundreds of years!

Answer 4

Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction

The temporo-Mandibular Joint is the joint where the mandible (the lower jaw) joins the temporal bone of the skull, immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. A small disc of cartilage separates the bones, much like in the knee joint, so that the mandible may slide easily; each time you chew you move it. But you also move it every time you talk and each time you swallow (every three minutes or so). It is, therefore, one of the most frequently used of all joints of the body and one of the most complex.

In most patients, pain associated with the TMJ is a result of displacement of the cartilage disc that causes pressure and stretching of the associated sensory nerves. The popping or clicking occurs when the disk snaps into place when the jaw moves. In addition, the chewing muscles may spasm, not function efficiently, and cause pain and tenderness.

Both major and minor trauma to the jaw can significantly contribute to the development of TMJ problems. If you habitually clench, grit, or grind your teeth, you increase the wear on the cartilage lining of the joint, and it doesn't have a chance to recover. Many persons are unaware that they grind their teeth, unless someone tells them so.

Chewing gum much of the day can cause similar problems. Stress and other psychological factors have also been implicated as contributory factors to TMJ dysfunction. Other causes include teeth that do not fit together properly (improper bite), malpositioned jaws, and arthritis. In certain cases, chronic malposition of the cartilage disc and persistent wear in the cartilage lining of the joint space can cause further damage.

Answer 5

If you're like most suffers, your TMJ symptoms are temporary and last only weeks or months, simple care is all that is usually needed to relieve the discomfort:

1. Eating soft foods.

2. Applying ice or moist heat .

3. Avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, loud singing, and gum chewing)

4. Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve) may ease the pain of TMJ

In rare instance if your symptoms severe and you're not finding relief from the treatments suggested above, there are several irreversible surgical treatments available.

Answer 6

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or TMJ joint disorders are medical problems related to the jaw joint. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull (temporal bone) under your ear. Certain facial muscles control chewing. Problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, problems biting, and popping sounds when you bite.

The TMJ is comprised of muscles, blood supplies, nerves, and bones. You have 2 TMJs, one on each side of your jaw.

Muscles involved in chewing (mastication) also open and close the mouth. The jawbone itself, controlled by the TMJ, has 2 movements: rotation or hinge action, which is opening and closing of the mouth, and gliding action, a movement that allows the mouth to open wider. The coordination of this action also allows you to talk, chew, and yawn.

If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joint and its movement. When you open your mouth, the rounded ends of the lower jaw (condyles) glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone. The condyles slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc lies between the condyle and the temporal bone. This disc absorbs shock to the temporomandibular joint from chewing and other movements. Chewing creates a strong force. This disc distributes the forces of chewing throughout the joint space.



TMJ Symptoms

Pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints may radiate to the neck or shoulders. Joints may be overstretched. You may experience muscle spasms from TMJ. You may feel pain every time you talk, chew, or yawn. Pain usually appears in the joint itself, in front of the ear, but it may move elsewhere in the skull, face, or jaw.
TMJ may cause ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss. Sometimes people mistake TMJ pain for an ear problem, such as an ear infection, when the ear is not the problem at all.
When the joints move, you may hear sounds, such as clicking, grating, and/or popping. Others may also be able to hear the sounds. Clicking and popping are common. This means the disc may be in an abnormal position. Sometimes no treatment is needed if the sounds give you no pain.
Your face and mouth may swell on the affected side.
The jaw may lock wide open (then it is dislocated), or it may not open fully at all. Also, upon opening, the lower jaw may deviate to one side. You may find yourself favoring one painful side or the other by opening your jaw awkwardly. These changes could be sudden. Your teeth may not fit properly together, and your bite may feel odd.
You may have trouble swallowing because of the muscle spasms.
Headache and dizziness may be caused by TMJ. You may feel nauseous or vomit.



Many people, more women than men, have TMJ. However, the full TMJ disorder develops in only a few. Most of the symptoms disappear in 2 weeks because your jaw joint rests and recovers when you are unable to chew.

Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve) may ease the pain of TMJ.


Eat a diet of soft foods.


Apply warm compresses on the area of pain. Home therapy includes mandible (lower jaw) movements, such as opening and closing the jaw from side to side. Try this after a warm compress is applied for 20 minutes. The lower jaw movements should be repeated 3-5 times a day, 5 minutes continuously each time, for about 2-4 weeks.

Answer 7

TMJ - not fun. Your dentist should have explained it to you and given you some literature. If not:
Go to this link and read a few articles. This is a legitimate site maintained by doctors.
http://www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?query=TMJ&sourceType=undefined

Answer 8

yeah, my wife had it for awhile, she had a plastic mouthpiece to wear at night in bed, that was years ago and she's fine now

Answer 9

braces.... thats wat i was suggested