Recognizing the Symptoms of TMJ Pain

Pain in the head and neck, as well as jaw dysfunction, are very common conditions that can be easily resolved or complicated due to a variety of factors. Jaw pain, also known as "TMJ," but more accurately called TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder, can be very frustrating to experience and treat, depending on the circumstances.

Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder or TMJ Pain

How can all of these symptoms be related to the teeth and bite?

The lower jaw has two joints known as Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs). The TMJ has a condyle of the head that rests in a depression directly in front of both ears. You can feel the joints move down and forward as you open and close your fingers in front of your ears. The lower jaw is held in place by the joint as well as ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

If the bite is misaligned from acute trauma or a long-term “bad bite” the soft tissues around the joint can be compressed and inflamed.

This TMJ pain can cause symptoms of ear pain as the complex nerves and delicate muscles are out of balance, sending pain to the neck, shoulders, and back. This is known as referred pain.

What causes TMJ disorders?

The temporomandibular joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and separated by a small shock-absorbing disc, which normally keeps the movement smooth. TMJ pain can occur if:

• The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment
• The joint's cartilage is damaged by arthritis
• The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact

In many cases, however, the cause of TMJ disorders isn't clear, and some risk factors include various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, jaw injury, chronic grinding of teeth, and connective tissue disease.

Treating TMJ Facial Pain

The approach to treating TMJ pain at Wembley Dental Clinic is psychological. The severity of the pain, whether acute or chronic, is an important consideration. You have two options: treat the pain while masking the symptoms or treat the underlying factors causing the pain.

Contact our Parksville dentists to learn more about TMJ symptoms, causes, and treatment.