Recognizing TMJ Disorder

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TMJ Overview
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge responsible for
opening and closing the jaw.
The TMJ is located on either side of the face just below the ear,
where the jaw meets the skull.
Damage to the TMJ can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders
(TMDs), often referred to as TMJ.
Jaw pain caused by TMJ/TMD can be crippling, affecting the ability
to eat, speak, sleep comfortably, and much more.
It’s estimated over 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ/TMDs.
Many people have not been diagnosed
 TMJ symptoms may be painless, at first
 TMJ symptoms vary and may appear unrelated to dentistry
TMJ/TMD is believed responsible for millions of missed workdays
each year, and even more sleepless nights.
Prepared by:
DENTISTRY BY JOHN BARRAS, DDS
1330 Post Oak Blvd
Suite 1300
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: 713-993-9814
https://www.johnbarrasdds.com

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TMDs can develop when the TMJ becomes damaged, inflamed, loses alignment or through trauma.
Damage to or loss of the protective layer of cartilage between the jaw and skull may cause pain and lead to
TMJ.
Fractures, dislocations, and other traumas can cause TMJ pain. Traumas can displace the alignment of the
jaw, leading to the development of TMJ/TMDs. Traumas often connected to TMJ include:
 Whiplash
 Impacts to the head and face
 Hyper-extension of the jaw muscles
Illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, connective tissue diseases and more can
weaken the TMJ.
Alcohol and tobacco consumption, excessive chewing, and overuse of the jaw can cause TMJ.
Overbite, underbite and other hereditary factors may lead to TMJ/TMDs.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often linked to TMJ/TMDs.
In many cases, the symptoms of TMJ will continue to increase and worsen over time. Minor inconveniences
can develop into severe TMJ.
Causes
of TMJ

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TMJ and Bruxism
TMJ disorders can be caused or aggravated by teeth grinding
(bruxism)
Teeth grinding
 Can occur during the day or at night.
 Can be completely unconscious an action.
Bruxism habits vary and include while driving, reading, writing, or in
response to stress.
Many people grind their teeth at night to help maintain a clear
airway.
Bruxism can cause damage to teeth and stress on muscles, leading
to alignment issues and development of TMJ/TMDs.

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Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
The symptoms (and severity) of a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:
Vary for Each Person Affected Range In Severity, Yet May Increase Over Time Are Not Limited to the Jaw
Clicking and
Popping of the Jaw
One of the top symptoms patients
report in connection with TMJ is a
"clicking" or "popping" of the jaw
when opening or closing their
mouth. This can range from mild to
severe and may include
accompanying pain and discomfort.
Difficulty Eating
Changes in jaw alignment can have
reaching effects. Over time, shifts
in the jaw place pressure on the
skull, throat muscles, and other
parts of the face. This can make it
challenging to chew and enjoy
favorite foods.
Trouble Sleeping
Those with TMJ may have trouble
falling asleep due to pain, or
difficulty remaining asleep because
of trouble breathing. During sleep,
improper jaw alignment can cause
the tongue to block the airway.
Facial Pain
Shifts or changes in the dental
structure or bite may cause one side
of the jaw to over perform, leading to
facial muscle fatigue and discomfort.
This can cause pain across the face,
behind the eyes, and near the
temples. TMJ may also cause swelling
and tenderness in the jaw area, and
around the face

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Migraine/Tension Headaches
• Migraine headaches. TMJ-induced migraine headaches are
often accompanied by nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light,
and/or an aversion to loud noises. Migraines have many
potential triggers, with TMJ ranking high among them.
Following a migraine, sufferers are at higher risk for repeat
attacks, leading to chronic conditions.
• Tension headaches. Tension headaches linked to TMJ are
often the result compensating for the effects of TMJ.
TMJ/TMD can place undue stress on facial muscles. The
muscles fatigues attempting to compensate for misaligned
jaw and/or an uneven bite, leading to muscle tension and
discomfort.
Ear Aches
Any number of traumas to the TMJ
can increase the impact of jaw
movement on the ear canal,
leading to ear discomfort, or ear
aches. Many misinterpret these
symptoms as ear infections. A TMD
can place pressure on the nerves,
causing a ringing sensation in the
ears (tinnitus).
Sinus Pain (Sinusitis)
Overexertion of facial muscles can
cause inflammation, placing pressure
on the sinuses and leading to
discomfort.
In many cases, it can be difficult to make the connection between TMJ and a medical condition.
Headaches, ear aches, and sinus pain have many potential causes.

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Long-Term
Effects of TMJ
Neck, Shoulder, and Back Discomfort
Small adjustments to jaw alignment can cause a number of
muscle groups in the body to overcompensate. This can often
lead to muscle fatigue beginning in the jaw before moving along
the vertebrae causing pain and aching in the shoulders, back,
hips and more.
Hearing Damage and Loss
The area surrounding the ear canal is sensitive and can be
affected by the symptoms of TMJ, over time. In severe cases,
TMJ can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and other ear
damage leading to hearing loss.
Dependence on Coping Mechanisms
Chronic pain can lead to a dependency on medication, alcohol, or
other coping mechanisms for management.
TMJ can lead to long-term chronic pain across the jaw and upper body.
Addressing the root cause will best alleviate TMJ symptoms.

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Permanent TMJ Relief
Advanced approaches to treatment allow individualized treatment of TMJ for permanent relief. For many
people, TMJ/TMDs can be treated this way. Initial TMJ evaluations are non-invasive.
Correcting bite alignment can help
eliminate chronic pain in the face, jaw, and
across the upper body.
Typical solutions for the permanent treatment of
TMJ/TMD include targeted dental procedures, fitted
orthotics, and cosmetic dentistry.

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DENTISTRY BY JOHN BARRAS, DDS
1330 Post Oak Blvd
Suite 1300
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: 713-993-9814
https://www.johnbarrasdds.com