Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)
Temporomandibular joint disorder, often abbreviated as TMJ or TMD, is a painful condition in which the joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull become inflamed. Many people suffer with chronic jaw pain for years, never realizing that therapies are available to relieve their pain and ease the stress on the joint.
Dr. Sean Drower has advanced training and extensive experience in treating a variety of temporomandibular disorders. If you are experiencing jaw pain or any of the other symptoms of TMJ, please call our office today to be evaluated.
What Causes TMJ?
Your jaw is an intricately designed joint. While many people think of the jaw as a simple hinge joint, it’s actually a ball-and-socket joint, which gives the jaw a wide range of motion, back and forth, up and down, and side to side. This incredible range of motion allows humans to chew a variety of foods as well as speak numerous languages.
Unfortunately, multiple factors can contribute to problems with your joint and the surrounding tissue. Some of the causes believed to be linked to the development of TMJ/TMD include:
- Bruxism, a condition in which chronic grinding and clenching of the teeth occurs
- Stress, which can also lead to grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw
- Injury to the joint or surrounding tissues
- Dislocation of the tissues within the joint
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Do I Have TMJ?
The most common symptom of TMJ/TMD, and the one that drives most patients to seek treatment, is the chronic pain in the temporomandibular joint that may radiate into the jaw, up into the head and ear, or down into the neck and shoulders. This pain may be present around the clock, or it may worsen with movement and pressure created by chewing and speaking.
Other symptoms often associated with TMJ include:
- A clicking, popping, or grating sound that frequently occurs in the joint
- Difficulty opening the mouth wide or a tendency for the jaw to lock in either an open or closed position
- Swelling around the joint that may appear on just one side of the face or on both
- A sense of fatigue in the face or the joint
- The feeling that the jaws no longer line up properly
Treating TMJ/TMD
Fortunately, we can help. Dr. Drower will evaluate your jaw pain with both a physical examination and x-rays to determine the source of your pain. He will also discuss your symptoms with you to gain a better understanding of your condition.
Dr. Drower will also try to pinpoint the cause of your TMJ for more effective treatment. For instance, if stress is a contributing factor, learning better ways to cope with stress may provide you with some relief. We can also discuss medications to ease your discomfort and swelling and relax your facial muscles.
Another option that is often recommended for patients with TMJ is the use of a night guard, a special device that is worn while you sleep to hold your jaw in a relaxed position, which reduces tension on the joint. Wearing a night guard can provide you with a great deal of relief and allow you to get a good night’s sleep. If you and Dr. Drower feel that this is a good treatment option for you, we will fit you for a customized night guard.
Don’t continue to suffer from jaw pain. Call our office today for an examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic jaw pain is one of the key symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, often abbreviated as TMJ or TMD. Other symptoms of this uncomfortable and serious condition include:
- Clicking, popping, or grating in the joint
- A tendency for your jaw to get stuck in one position
- A sensation of fatigue in your face
- Swelling near the joint
- Headaches
- Shoulder, neck, and facial pain
Jaw pain is often one of the most common first symptoms of TMD. It may start by being intermittent and then worsen over time. Jaw pain, especially when you wake up in the morning, is a good indicator that you are grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding can also be a symptom of TMD and is easily treated with appliance therapy.
If your jaw pain lasts for more than a couple of days, gets worse, or returns after it went away, that is a good indication that you should have your jaw joints evaluated. The appointment is relatively easy, non-invasive, and can provide you with the answers you are looking for.
If you are experiencing chronic jaw pain or any of these other symptoms, please call today for an appointment to get your condition diagnosed and treated.
A nightguard can help restore the health and comfort of your jaw joint. When people suffer from TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders), it means that their jaw joints have gotten out of their ideal position in some way. Often times, because of swollen and tense muscles, it is difficult for your jaw to relax.
A nightguard, or splint, may help your jaw to relax into a more comfortable position. This allows the tension and swelling from your muscles to decrease and helps gain more flexibility.
Once your muscles are relaxed, your nightguard can be adjusted in such a way that it holds your jaw in a stable and comfortable position while your sleep. You should wake up feeling more refreshed and rested when your jaw is comfortable throughout the night.
Nightguards also have the added benefit of protecting your teeth from nocturnal bruxism, or excessive clenching and grinding. If you are left to grind your teeth all night, you could cause them to break, crack, split, or get worn down and shortened. Bruxism can also create tooth sensitivity and recession of your gums.
If you experience the symptoms of TMD or bruxism, call our Keene, NH office today to schedule an evaluation. Dr. Sean Drower can help restore your health and comfort through effective treatment of your TMD.
Bruxism, or the excessive grinding and clenching of your teeth, may be related to your TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), though it is not the same thing.
Sometimes patients clench or grind their teeth without ever experiencing full-blown TMD, though it comes with its own risks. Bruxism can cause headaches and damage to your teeth by cracking them or wearing them down.
Often, an appliance is recommended to protect your teeth, just like with TMD. That way, while you are sleeping, your teeth are not pounding together, causing more damage. Because the appliance, or nightguard, is made from a softer material than your enamel, it provides enough cushion and support to protect your teeth. If you clench or grind your teeth, investment in a nightguard now could save you money in the end by helping you avoid expensive crowns and repairs to your damaged teeth.
Caffeine use, alcohol use and stress can all contribute to worsening bruxism. Cutting down on drinking cocktails and coffee is a good start. Learning to manage stress can help you in many ways, including reducing how much you grind your teeth.
If you wake up in the morning with a sore face, headache, or sensitive teeth, contact Dr. Sean Drower and we will schedule a TMD evaluation where we can discuss your symptoms and conditions regarding TMD and bruxism and get you feeling comfortable again.
Numerous factors can affect the health of your temporomandibular joint and cause TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Your jaw joint is a complex system of bone, cartilage, tendons, and muscles. If one part of the system is out of whack, it can create a ripple effect of problems.
If you suffer from malocclusion, or a bad bite, and your teeth cannot come together properly, the inability for your jaw to find its ideal position can create TMD. Dr. Sean Drower can evaluate your bite and make sure that when you close all the way, it is not adding any extra strain to your jaw.
If you are a heavy bruxer, or teeth grinder, you may be doing more damage than you know. Your jaw is incredibly strong and the full force of its power can create damage in your jaw joint, facial muscles, teeth, and cause headaches. If you wake up in the morning with sore teeth or headaches, you should have an evaluation to determine the cause.
Sometimes trauma from a car accident or sports injury can cause TMD. If you suddenly have problems opening or closing your mouth or if your teeth come together differently than before, call our office to schedule an exam with Dr. Sean Drower. His skills and expertise can help restore your health and make you feel comfortable again.
When your jaw joint is not functioning ideally, it can create a number of problems. TMJ is actually your temporomandibular joint. Having a problem with your TMJ is often called TMJD or TMD, temporomandibular joint disorder.
TMD covers a number of different problems. Some of the main symptoms include:
- Teeth grinding
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain
- Swelling near the jaw joint
- Clicking, popping or grinding
- Sounds like sand when you open or close your mouth
- Locking open or closed
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Inability to close your teeth together properly
When caught early, the symptoms of TMD are treatable through non-invasive appliance therapy, like wearing a nightguard. A nightguard also has the added benefit of protecting your teeth if you clench or grind while you sleep.
If left untreated, your symptoms and condition may worsen and require a surgery called arthrocentisis, or reconstructive surgery. Leaving your symptoms untreated can also severely affect your quality of life by disrupting your sleep, causing pain, creating dental problems, and causing unnecessary stress.
Dr. Sean Drower has received specialized training to treat your TMD symptoms effectively. If you believe you suffer from TMD, call our Keene, NH office to schedule an evaluation to restore your jaw joint health and bring comfort back to your life.
Meet Our Doctor:
Sean P. Drower DMD, MAGD
After obtaining his Bachelors from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, Dr. Sean Drower attended Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, graduating with his DMD. He then went on to perform his general practice residency at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Drower has achieved his Master's designation in the Academy of General Dentistry, an achievement earned by only 2% of dentists.
Dr. Drower is a strong believer in ongoing education and is committed to staying on top of the latest advancements in the field of dentistry. He is a ...