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TMJ Disorders

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. However, our doctors can help you have a healthier and more comfortable jaw.

Trouble With Your Jaw?

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder?

  • Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
  • Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
  • Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
  • Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
  • Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
  • Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
  • Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
  • Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
  • Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
  • Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
  • Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
  • Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
  • Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.

Treatment

There are various treatment options that we  can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, Dr. Koslin, Dr. Kahn or Dr. Denson will determine the proper course of treatment. 

Succesful treatment of TMJ disorders requires an accurate diagnosis. Treating all “TMJ PROBLEMS” with a standard approach rarely succeeds in eliminating or controlling symptoms.

If the main cause of the problem is muscle cramping or tension, then efforts directed at those muscles will help the patient. Medication, physical therapy and bite splints are usually effective in reaching normal function with a decrease in pain and soreness.

If the problem is with the TMJ disc, then treatment directed specifically at that problem can be highly successful.  The information you can attain from a consultation with Drs. Koslin and Kahn, will make your problem and potential treatments much clearer.

The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. This may be accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:

  • Resting your jaw
  • Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
  • Eating soft foods
  • Applying ice and heat
  • Exercising your jaw
  • Practicing good posture

Physical therapy may also be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a splint. A splint (or nightguard) fits over your top or bottom teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A nightguard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night and helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relives pressure on parts of your jaw and aids in disk repositioning. It may be worn 24 hours/day to help your jaw heal. An orthotic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day or just at night to move your jaw into proper position.

TMJ ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY

This surgical technique allows Drs. Koslin and Kahn to surgically treat many disc problems in the TMJ. It is performed under general anesthesia (the patient is asleep). It is a short procedure performed thru a TV camera with a laser. You can immediately open your mouth after surgery. YOUR JAWS ARE NOT BROKEN AND  ARE NOT WIRED
TOGETHER.  You may return to work and non-contact sports in two to three days.

Many times, a patient’s jaw problem has many contributing causes. Bite correction involving orthodontic braces and corrective jaw surgery is sometimes needed.  Bite correction involving care by a general, restorative dentist may also be of value in resolving symptoms.

All of these potential treatments are coordinated and planned by Dr. Koslin, Dr. Kahn or Dr. Denson.

Procedures