TMJ
Disorders
What is the temporomandibular joint
and what is TMJ syndrome?
The temporomandibular joint is a small joint that connects the lower
jawbone or “mandible” to the bone of the skull in front
of the ear or “temporal bone”. A small disc made of
cartilage is enclosed in the joint formed by these bones. Powered
by the muscles used in chewing, this joint is required in chewing,
swallowing, speaking, yawning and breathing, and is thus one of
the most frequently used joints in the body.
Patients experiencing abnormal symptoms in the TMJ can report pain
involving the joint itself or the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Please call us if you think you may need treatement for TMJ in Montreal, Quebec.
Other symptoms patients may experience include:
• clicking
• popping or grinding sounds in the
jaw
• pain in the TMJ joint or the ear that
may worsen when chewing, yawning or opening the mouth.
Some patients may experience:
• difficulty opening the jaw widely
• a sensation that their jaw is locking
when opening or closing the mouth
• headaches, neck, back or shoulder
pain
• swelling on the affected side of
the face.
What causes TMJ disorders?
It is sometimes very difficult to establish the exact cause of a
person's TMJ problems.
TMJ disorders may be the result of a number of factors which include
too much tension in the jaw muscles, clenching or grinding of the
teeth, poor alignment of the upper and lower teeth and jaw, abnormal
movement of the jaw joint, displacement of the cartilage within
it to an abnormal position, inflammation of the joint or injury
to the face. Patients who suffer from fibromylagia or arthritis
and those who have poorly fitting dentures or are exposed to increased
stress have a greater chance of developing disorders of the TMJ.
Some patients are thought to have a predisposition to the development
of joint problems based on factors as simple as the anatomic features
of their TMJ.
How do I know if I have a disorder of the TMJ and who will be
involved in evaluation and treatment?
A multidisciplinary team of health professionals may be involved
in your evaluation and treatment for a disorder of the TMJ joint.
You will receive a detailed evaluation and analysis of your condition.
You will be asked you to describe your symptoms and medical conditions
you have had in the past and will examine your teeth, jaw joint
and facial muscles and evaluate your bite. He or she may test the
range of motion of your jaw and listen for sounds in the joint.
You may need to have X-rays or panoramic dental X-rays of the joint
that make the bony structures visible. In some cases a CT scan is
requested to create a computerized image of the bony structures
of the joint and an MRI may be requested to provide detailed views
of the soft tissues of the joint. |
