What Are the Causes of a Temporomandibular Joint?
A temporomandibular joint disorder, often called TMJ, happens when the jaw joint is damaged or jaw joints are out of alignment, causing the upper and lower jaws to meet in an unbalanced relationship. The temporomandibular joint is a large hinge, which should move smoothly in and out of the joint socket. TMJ disorder can cause significant pain in the jaw, head, neck and shoulders. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 10 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of TMJ disorder, with the problem seen more in females.
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Causes
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There are several cause for TMJ disorder. While a blow to the head can knock the jaw joints out of place, more often patients develop the problem because of a combination of genetic and behavioral factors. Some children who wear braces on their teeth develop a TMJ disorder later in life, because the orthodontist does not always adjust the bite to accommodate the corrected teeth. People who are under a great deal of stress frequently clench or grind their teeth at night. This can wear down the disk inside the joint, as well as damage the cartilage in the joint.
Symptoms
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Pain in the joint area is the most common symptom of a TMJ disorder. A patient may experience locking of the joint or an inability to open her mouth wide. A TMJ disorder can also cause referred pain in the head, ears and shoulders. Most TMJ patients have a characteristic clicking noise when they chew or open their mouths. Many patients report "popping" in the jaw joint.
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Treatment
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A TMJ treatment strategy looks toward first reliving the pain, then correcting the imbalance. Over-the-counter pain medications can give some relief. For more severe pain, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants or corticosteroid drugs to reverse inflammation. Once the pain is relieved, the doctor will work toward correcting the imbalance. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most common is wearing a splint over the teeth to help balance the jaws. The splint can also prevent further damage from grinding or clenching. Some doctors suggest wearing braces to help correct the imbalance. Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants have good results with relieving pain and ending the teeth grinding.
Surgery
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Surgery is usually a last resort for a TMJ disorder. The surgeon will either repair or remove the disk in the jaw. Joint replacement is also an option. Arthrocentesis is a surgical procedure in which the doctor irrigates the joint to remove debris and inflammation.
Self-Help
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Some patients get relief from moist heat or ice applied to the painful part of the jaw. Exercises to stretch the jaw muscles can help. Since stress is a major contributor to a TMJ disorder, it's important to learn to relax. Deep breathing, meditation, biofeedback and exercise all help. A psychologist trained in biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy can help a patient learn better ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
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