Conditions related to the jaw can cause severe symptoms, including pain and functional issues that impact your quality of life. TMJ/TMD are terms often used interchangeably to describe conditions that impact the temporomandibular joints in your jaw. However, TMJ and TMD refer to two different aspects of jaw conditions.
Let’s explore the difference between TMJ vs TMD, as well as TMJ symptoms, TMD causes, and TMJ/TMD treatment available to help alleviate temporomandibular joint pain and allow you to live a happier, healthier life.
Understanding TMJ: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment OptionsWhat Is TMJ?
TMJ refers to your temporomandibular joints themselves. These joints are located on both sides of your head where your upper and lower jaws connect. Their job is to connect your lower jaw to your skull while allowing you to move your jaw back and forth and open and close your mouth. Your TMJ includes your mandible (lower jaw), temporal bones, and a complex system of muscles and nerves.
What Is TMD?
TMD refers to temporomandibular disorders impacting your TMJ, which includes over 30 conditions of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves. Issues that prevent this system from working properly are considered TMDs, including:
- Forms of myofascial pain impacting the connective tissue covering the muscles, as well as the muscles themselves used to control not only your jaw function but, in more severe cases, neck and shoulder function
- Internal derangement of the joint where you experience jaw dislocation or a displaced disk in the jaw, as well as damage or injury to your condyle connecting your jaw to your temporal skull bone
- Degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis occurring in the jaw
What Are Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) Symptoms?
The following symptoms are common signs you have TMD:
- Jaw muscle pain when chewing
- Muscle spasms
- Facial pain
- Orofacial pain
- Joint dysfunction, such as limited jaw movement, pain, and discomfort
- Pain spreading from the face or neck
- Stiff jaw that limits movement or causes the jaw to lock
- Painful jaw clicking, popping, or grating when using your jaw joints
- Ringing in the ears
- Sore throat
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness
- An uncomfortable bite
- Morning jaw pain or stiffness
- Chronic headaches or earaches
- Tooth sensitivity not related to other oral health issues
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers
It’s important to note that it’s normal to experience some popping and clicking in the jaw without pain or jaw dysfunction.
How Do TMDs Impact Quality Of Life?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are broken down into three classes that impact your quality of life in different ways:
- Disorders of the joints, including disc disorders
- Disorders of the jaw muscles used for chewing
- Headaches associated with TMD
It’s common to suffer from one or more of these TMDs. Also, while TMDs that last a short while and never return don’t cause ongoing issues, recurring, long-lasting or chronic TMDs greatly impact your quality of life. Living with chronic TMD symptoms such as headaches, difficulties eating, locking jaw, and pain all make it difficult to work, socialize, go to school, and generally enjoy doing the things you love.
What Are The Causes Of TMJ/TMD?
Although the specific cause of TMDs is not known, there are some common contributing factors that lead to TMJ/TMD symptoms, including:
- Excessive strain on the jaw joints and muscles
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- Trauma to the jaw, the head, or the neck
- Arthritis in the jaw joints
- Displacement of the jaw joint discs
- Prolonged dental treatments where your mouth is open for a long time
- Misalignment of the upper and lower teeth
What Increases The Risk Of TMJ/TMD?
Temporomandibular disorders occur twice as much in women as men, especially between the ages of 35 and 44. However, anyone can suffer from TMD, including children. Suffering from medical conditions such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome can also increase risk. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, there are also clinical, psychological, sensory, genetic, and nervous system factors that can put patients at higher risk of developing chronic TMD.
How Is TMJ/TMD Diagnosed?
Most people seek assistance from their family doctors first. They can rule out other medical conditions before diagnosing TMD. However, you can also share your symptoms with your dentist as they specialize in TMD diagnosis and treatment. In fact, your doctor will likely refer you to a dentist once they rule out other medical causes.
Diagnosis of TMJ/TMD at your dental clinic includes:
- Examining your jaw to listen and feel how your jaw functions when you open and close your mouth
- Observing your jaw range of motion
- Identifying painful areas around your jaw
- Discussing your symptoms and symptom triggers
- Dental X-rays to examine your teeth and jaw
- CT scan to collect detailed images of the jaw bones involved in the joint
- MRI to identify issues with the disc or surrounding soft tissue
What Are The Types Of TMD Treatments?
Your dentist will consider several factors before providing a treatment for TMD, such as your age, health and medical history, your tolerance of medications, your preferred approach, and whether the condition is considered temporary or chronic. Treatments also vary based on the severity and causes of your symptoms. However, the most common TMD treatment options include:
Nonsurgical Treatments
- Occlusal splints or mouth guards to help with grinding, bite issues, and jaw relaxation
- Physical therapy, such as exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles to help reduce symptoms and improve range of motion
- Moist heat and/or ice applied to the face can reduce pain, swelling, and spasms
- Avoiding behaviours that may aggravate your pain, such as biting fingernails, eating certain foods, stress, etc., to help manage pain and the severity of TMD
- Relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension such as meditation, mindfulness of your body, etc.
Procedures
- Arthrocentesis: Using small needles inserted in the joint to inject fluids can flush out debris and inflammatory byproducts noted in x-rays of the jaw.
- Injections: This might include corticosteroid injections or, less commonly, botulinum toxin injections, aka Botox.
- TMJ arthroscopy: This type of surgery is a treatment for severe TMJ that places a thin tube into the joint space to insert a tiny camera and surgical instruments used to adjust aspects of your TMJ to help reduce pain and improve function.
- Modified condylotomy: This surgery is performed on the mandible to reduce pain and locking.
- Arthrotomy: This open-joint surgery addresses structural problems in the joint.
To avoid the need for these types of invasive treatments, it’s best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor or dentist ASAP to find ways to ease pain and treat your TMD.
The good news is that TMD joint treatment is available. Your dentist will assess your TMJ symptoms and offer temporomandibular disorder treatments to relieve pain and improve your quality of life.
Call today to schedule an appointment at 416-232-2033 or click here to request an appointment.