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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TMJ SYMPTOMS
Pain, and or Jaw "locking" episodes
A "locking" episode can occur during opening or closing movement. What happens is that the patient experiences an interruption of jaw movement - a "catch" or a "stop", and in order to complete the movement must jiggle, or somehow, self manipulate the jaw.
Referring back to an anatomy lesson, and in the simplest of terms, what is happening within the Joint is that the articular Disk which rides on top of the condyle head is getting stuck in the wrong place and is preventing the condyle head from moving.
Because each time it happens more damage is occuring to the tissues in the Joint, and the tissues controlling the articular Disk. As a consequence there is the risk that if the problem is not addressed by appropriate treatment, one day you will be unable to reduce the dislocation yourself, and you will require an emergency visit to a TMJ practitioner, if one is available in your community, or an oral surgeon. In severe cases, reduction can only be accomplished under general anesthesia.
If you open your mouth as wide as you can, and then place the last three fingers of your hand (middle, ring, and pinky) perpendicularly (with your thumb pointing to the ceiling) between your upper and lower teeth, you have a normal range of opening, provided that you can do that without pain and strain. In general, two fingers, or less, is a limited range of opening.
Not much. You may either have thin fingers, or you have slight hyper-extension. In the absence of pain, and other symptoms, not to worry.
Here comes a typical doctor's answer - "that depends". It depends on several factors. The most important being, to what degree is this restricted jaw function affecting your quality of life. If you have no pain, and it is the ONLY symptom you have, and you never think about it, and you can eat anything you want without pain and strain. The answer is no. Otherwise the answer is yes.
Probably lots of things. Joint noises during jaw movements are a sign that the functional elements are not working smoothly. Crunching grinding noises are called crepitus, and it is associated with hard tissue contact during movement. In order to explain Clicking, you have to first know that the articular Disk has, what is most simply described as, a depression, in the middle of it. That depression, and the condyle head are supposed to move together in sync. When they don't, and the condyle head passes over the outside ridge of the depression, you get a click.
Again, in the absence of other symptoms, no. BUT these Joint sounds are a sign that the Joint is not functioning smoothly, and each sound's occurrence is a micro trauma to the Joint tissues. This means that as time goes on, a full blown TM Joint disorder may develop. The correct approach, if you have TM Joint sounds during jaw movements in the absence of all other symptoms, is to tell your regular family Dentist about them, and he will keep your condition under observation.
Because of the close proximity of the ear tissues to the TM Joint. It is not uncommon to find on x-ray that the condyle head is improperly positioned in the Joint space such that it is in intimate contact with the tympanic bone. The consequence often is ear pain in the absence of infection, a sense of fullness, or stuffiness, in one or both ears, and sometimes ringing in the ears. What are TMJ disorders and how are they caused? TMJ disorders are a group of complex problems related to the jaw joint. Other names include myofacial pain dysfunction and Costen’s syndrome. Because muscles and joints work together, a problem with either one can lead to stiffness, headaches, ear pain, bite problems (malocclusion), clicking sounds, or locked jaws. The following are behaviors or conditions that can lead to TMJ disorders: 1. Teeth grinding and teeth clenching (bruxism) increase the wear on the cartilage lining of the TMJ. Patients may be unaware of this behavior unless they are told by someone observing this pattern while sleeping or by a dental professional noticing telltale signs of wear and tear on the teeth. Many patients awaken in the morning with jaw or ear pain. 2. Habitual gum chewing or fingernail biting. 3. Dental problems and misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion). Patients may complain that it is difficult to find a comfortable bite, or that the way their teeth fit together has changed. Chewing on only one side of the jaw can lead to or be a result of TMJ problems. 4. Trauma to the jaws. Previous history of broken jaw or fractured facial bones. 5. Stress frequently leads to unreleased nervous energy. It is very common for people under stress to release this nervous energy by either consciously or unconsciously grinding and clenching their teeth. 6. Occupational tasks such as holding the telephone between the head and shoulder. There are two elements to diagnosis. The first is a comprehensive history and clinical examination. The second is a series of diagnostic studies. Each practitioner has his or her own favorites which they rely on, and which may be used either singly or in any combination. In general, the diagnostic studies available for TM Joint diagnosis and evaluation are:
The mainstay of treatment for acute TMJ pain is heat
& ice, soft diet, and anti-inflammatory medications. Accurate diagnosis of TMJ pain and dysfunction can be obtained with CRA procedures. The doctor will localize test the TMJ joints and will reveal either a structural or nutritional cause.
In tempermandibular joint problems, the following supplements are most often indicated: A-C Carbamide, Adrenal, Desiccated, Biodent™, Biost ®, Cal-Amo®, Calcifood ®, Calcifood Powder, Calcium Lactate, E-Manganese, Ligaplex® I, Ligaplex II, Myotrophin PMG ®, and Ostrophin PMG ®, The following reflexes will often be active: This reflex and any others found should be tested and treated with the proper supplementation. You should take this preliminary free test or be examined by a competent practitioner for testing. Chiropractic has a very impressive record in
treating TMJ dysfunction. The neck is very often involved. Go
here for more information.
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