Temporomandibular Joint
Disorders (TMJ)
Dysfunction
of the TMJ, the small joint in front of the ear
where the skull and lower jaw meet, is a common
source of headache and facial pain. Most
patients with TMJ disorders can be successfully
treated with a combination of oral medications,
physical therapy, and splints. However, joint
surgery is an option for advanced cases and when
the diagnosis indicated a specific problem in
the joint.
This is arguably the most complex set of joints in the human body. Unlike a typical finger or vertebral junctions, each TMJ has two joints which allow it to both rotate and to translate (slide). With use, it is common to see wear of both the bone and cartilage components of it. A common TMJ is associated with clicking of the jaw, as are popping motions and deviations in the movements of the joint. TMJ disorder is diagnosed when pain is involved.
In a healthy joint, the surfaces in contact with one another (bone and cartilage) do not have any receptors to transmit the feeling of pain. The pain therefore originates from one of the surrounding soft tissues. When receptors from one of these areas are triggered, the pain causes a reflex to limit the mandible's movement; furthermore, inflammation of the joints can cause constant pain, even without movement of the jaw.
Due to the proximity of the ear to the temporomandibular joint, TMJ pain can often and sometimes confused with ear pain. The pain may referred in around half of all patients is sometimes experienced as otalgia (earache). Conversely, TMD is a possible cause of secondary otalgia. Treatment of TMD may significantly reduce symptoms of otalgia, facial pain and tinnitus.
The dysfunction involved is most often in regards to the relationship between the condyle of the mandible and the disc. The sounds produced by this dysfunction are usually described as a "click" or a "pop" when a single sound is heard and as "crepitation" or "crepitus" when there are multiple, rough sounds.
For more information regarding symptoms or treatments of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), please contact us, our professional dental staff are readily available to assist you. |
