TMJ Treatment
TMJ Treatment
TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. TMJ Disorder TMD) is a progressive disease. Symptoms usually worsen over time, and some may become irreversible if not treated early. Disc Displacement can become permanent and very limiting if not treated at an early stage. Many people who leave a click untreated may end up with locked jaw and limited opening permanently, resulting in chronic pain, inability to chew foods, inability to open mouth, difficulty yawning, and anxiety which often comes with the limitations of this condition.
We help patients understand the severity of their TMD condition, how to manage it, and how to treat it properly. Treatment will depend on severity, degenerative changes in the TMJ, as well as patient compliance. If diagnosed in its early stages, treatment is typically faster and easier to resolve all symptoms.
Do you have TMD?
TMD is a common disorder affecting a wide variety of people. The vast majority of TMJ Dysfunction sufferers are not aware that the root cause of their symptoms is the way their teeth are positioned, causing their mandible (lower jaw) to misalign. This results in the condyle (the head of the jaw) to be displaced, most often posteriorly. resulting in an array of symptoms.
One of the most obvious symptoms of TMJ disorder is pain. This can be in the form of jaw pain, headaches, migraines, facial pain, neck pain, back pain, ear pain.
Popping or clicking when opening or closing the mouth is a frequent early sign of TMJ disorders. This may be painless and many people with this type of sound in their joint will often ignore it. However, the clicking or popping in the jaw joint when opening or closing is an indication of the articular disc displacement in the temporo-mandibular joint. If left ignored, it can get worse over time, resulting in some or all of the symptoms associated with TMD.
Crepitus (grinding noise) in the jaw joint is most often a sign of long-term articular disc displacement in the TMJ and people with this type of noise will often remember past history of clicking or popping which then stopped, and was later followed by crepitus. This typically indicates that the articular disc has displaced some time ago, and the condyle (head of the jaw) is now grinding against the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone. This may be painless or painful depending on other factors.
Buzzing, or ringing in the ear is one of the symptoms associated with TMJ disorders. People with this type of noise often have a posteriorly positioned condyle which, consequently, presses on the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. This pressure can then extend to the tympanic bone, which houses the tympanic membrane of the ear as well as Stapes, Incus, and Malleus, which are the tiny bones inside the ear responsible for sound.
Restricted or limited movement on opening, which prevents the mouth from being opened fully or the jaw from being moved in all directions cause can discomfort and/or anxiety. When a person is unable to open normally, this causes fear and concern and can limit the ability to eat, chew, yawn, and even speak. Most common limitation is on opening and this is most often related to a displaced articular disc which has become stuck anterior (in front of) the condyle of the TMJ, preventing the condyle from travelling forward on opening. This can also be very painful and cause significant anxiety impacting the quality of daily life.
A locked jaw, medically known as trismus, refers to a condition where a person experiences difficulty opening or closing their mouth fully.
This is often caused by a disc displacement in the TMJ.
CLINICAL SIGNS
When a patient presents with symptoms of TMJ disorder, there are certain clinical signs that we look for to help us diagnose the type of TMD they have, what caused it, and how it has progressed. Most common of these are:
- Tooth Wear
- Abfractions (notching of teeth at the gumline)
- Loose teeth
- Specific pattern of bone loss (on x-ray)
- Myoclonus (muscle twitching on a lateral slide)
- Presence of tori
- Narrow upper and/or lower arch
- Lingually inclined posterior teeth
- Lingually inclined upper anterior teeth
- Bicuspids missing (extracted for braces)
- Lateral slide interferences on posterior teeth
- Gum recession on teeth that have lateral interferences
- Fremitus on anterior teeth (vibration on closing)
Dr. Agatha Bis
Oakville Dentist, Dr. Agatha Bis, DDS received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Western Ontario in 1996. With over 25 years of clinical experience creating beautiful and healthy smiles, Dr. Bis offers a unique approach to dentistry, blending modern dental practices with the use of digital technology to optimize health outcomes.
With thousands of hours in post-graduate training, her unique focus and expertise in treating TMD and providing options in restorative dentistry, along with digital technology has led to helping numerous patients resolve chronic and debilitating dental challenges.
Dr. Agatha Bis
Oakville Dentist, Dr. Agatha Bis, DDS received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Western Ontario in 1996. With over 25 years of clinical experience creating beautiful and healthy smiles, Dr. Bis offers a unique approach to dentistry, blending modern dental practices with the use of digital technology to optimize health outcomes.
With thousands of hours in post-graduate training, her unique focus and expertise in treating TMD and providing options in restorative dentistry, along with digital technology has led to helping numerous patients resolve chronic and debilitating dental challenges.
Schedule a Appointment with Dr. Agatha Bis