The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders can cause pain in your jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. This condition is also known as TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), and can be temporary or last for many years. We provide TMJ treatment as part of the restorative dental treatments in our Winchester, VA, dental office.
If you have pain in your jaw, or hearing clicks and pops when you chew, you’re not alone. These are common signs of a TMJ disorder. When the TMJ isn’t working right, it can cause a lot of discomfort and make everyday activities a hassle.
Here at Peak Dental in Winchester, our main goal is to keep our patients comfortable and pain-free. If this sounds familiar, the best thing to do is mention it to Dr. Barborka. He can take a look and suggest some lifestyle changes or other treatment options to help relieve your pain and get your jaw feeling normal again.
What to Know about TMJ Disorders
Ever had a sore jaw after a long day, or heard a weird click when you yawn? That might be more than just a random ache. “TMJ” stands for the Temporomandibular Joint, which is the fancy name for the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. When there’s a problem with these joints and the muscles around them, it’s called a TMJ disorder.
So, how do you know if you might have one? Let’s break down the signs.
What Does a TMJ Disorder Feel Like?
TMJ disorders can show up in a bunch of different ways. The most common red flags are:
- Pain, Pain, and More Pain: You might feel pain or tenderness in your jaw itself, right in the joint in front of your ears, or even an aching pain in and around your ear. Sometimes the pain can spread to your whole face.
- A Jaw That Gets Stuck: Imagine your jaw locking up, making it hard to open your mouth wide or even to close it completely. This can be scary and uncomfortable.
- Annoying Noises: Do you hear clicking, popping, or even a grinding sound when you chew or open your mouth? That’s a classic sign. But here’s a weird fact: if you hear these sounds but have no pain and your jaw moves just fine, you probably don’t need any treatment. It only becomes a problem when the noise comes with pain or limited movement.
- Trouble Chewing: It might feel uncomfortable or just plain difficult to chew your food, like your jaw doesn’t fit together right anymore.
What Causes All This Jaw Trouble?
It’s not always clear what causes a TMJ disorder, but doctors know several things that can contribute to it:
- Injury: A direct hit to your jaw or head, like from a sports injury or car accident, can damage the joint.
- Arthritis: Just like other joints in your body, the jaw joint can be affected by arthritis. Arthritis causes inflammation and pain.
- Grinding and Clenching: Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw? You might be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw in your sleep (bruxism). This puts a lot of pressure on the joint.
- Stress: This is a huge one. When you’re stressed, you often tighten your muscles without even realizing it, including the muscles in your face and jaw. This constant tension can lead to a TMJ disorder.
Often, it’s a combination of these factors that leads to a problem.
How Will a Dentist Figure Out What’s Wrong?
If you think you might have a TMJ disorder, the first step is to see a dentist or a doctor. Here’s what you can expect during a check-up with someone like Dr. Aaron Barborka:
- They’ll Talk to You: The dentist will start by reviewing your medical history and asking you questions about your symptoms—where it hurts, when it hurts, and what makes it feel better or worse.
- The Physical Exam: Next, they’ll do a hands-on exam. They will gently press on your jaw joint and the muscles around it to feel for tenderness or pain. They’ll also listen closely for any of those clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth.
- They’ll Check Your Movement: The dentist will check your jaw’s range of motion to see how far you can comfortably open and move your jaw from side to side.
- They’ll Look at Your Bite: Finally, they’ll take a close look at how your teeth fit together when you bite down to see if any irregularities there might be contributing to the problem.
Figuring out the root cause is the most important step in creating a plan to get you feeling better.
Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders
The good news is that there are many different ways to treat TMJ disorders, from simple things you can do at home to more advanced medical and dental treatments. No matter which path you and your doctor choose, the main goals are always the same. We help you relieve your pain, help your jaw work smoothly again, and get all those uncomfortable symptoms under control.
Often, you can start feeling better by trying some easy self-care practices right away. For instance, applying an ice pack to the sore area on your jaw can help reduce pain and swelling. Since stress is a major cause of jaw tension, finding ways to relax is another powerful tool. Activities like meditation or yoga can calm your whole body, which helps loosen up those tight facial and jaw muscles.
If you need a little extra help managing the pain, medications can be a useful option. Common over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be very effective at easing the discomfort that comes with TMJ disorders.
For a more long-term solution, dental treatments can get to the root of the problem. Dr. Barborka might suggest a splint or a mouthguard. These are custom-fit devices that you wear over your teeth, usually at night. They work by preventing you from clenching or grinding your teeth, which is a common cause of TMJ pain. They can also help guide your jaw into a more comfortable position to fix bite issues that might be contributing to the disorder.
Another way to fix your bite is with a dental crown. If a tooth is damaged or uneven, it can throw your whole bite off balance. A crown can restore that tooth, creating an even bite that works smoothly, feels more comfortable, and looks great.