The temporomandibular joint, more commonly referred to as the jaw joint, assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. This joint, like other joints, can occasionally be stressed and overloaded, causing symptoms of pain. Common causes of TM joint overload are clenching and grinding of the teeth, either during the day or at night during sleep. Occasionally, a bite problem with tooth misalignment can also cause excessive stress to be placed on the jaw joint, causing pain symptoms.

TMJ Surgery Overview

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The typical symptoms of a TMJ problem include pain in front of the ears, grinding noises and limitation in jaw opening. The supporting muscles and ligaments of the joint may also be involved, causing symptoms of headache, difficulty chewing and clicking and/or popping noises in the jaw. If jaw or joint noises are not accompanied by pain symptoms or limitations in jaw opening, and the jaw functions properly when chewing or talking, there is typically no indication for treatment of the TM joint. In general, these joint "noises" are found in about 35% of the population.

A TMJ exam and an in-office X-ray determine the cause of joint or jaw pain and whether or not the problem is in the joint itself or in the surrounding tissues. Only problems located within the joint itself can be treated with surgery. True joint disease, such as arthritic changes or a slipped disk, is found in only about 5 percent of all patients with TMJ symptoms. Special imaging, such as an MRI, may be recommended to help determine a diagnosis. If there is joint disease, surgery along with non-surgical treatment can help prevent further deterioration of the joint or correct and repair damaged joint tissue or a slipped disk.

TMJ pain and symptoms that are not located in the joint itself are usually related to inflammation in the supporting muscles and ligaments surrounding the TM joint. Stress can be a huge factor in causing or adding to TMJ symptoms. Nighttime teeth grinding can cause muscle spasms and inflammation of muscle tissues, causing difficult and painful jaw movement. Non-surgical TMJ treatments focus on decreasing muscle and ligament inflammation and can include anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications, jaw exercises, warm compress treatments as well as oral appliance therapy to help reduce tension and inflammation in the muscles.

Although we do not perform routine TMJ treatment in our office, we could refer you other non-surgical or surgical specialists for an evaluation.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Services Offered: Dental Implants in Tewksbury | Wisdom Teeth | Jaw Surgery | Cosmetic Facial Surgery | Biopsies

Other Common Dental Treatments: Cosmetic Dentistry | Crowns & Bridges | Crown Lengthening | Root Canal Treatment | Apicoectomy | TMJ