Temporomandibular Disorder

(TMD or TMJ)

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), also called temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), is a condition affecting the jaw muscles and jaw joint (the temporomandibular joint) that can be extremely painful.

Symptoms can include

• pain in the face or jaw-joint area
• limited mouth opening
• jaws that "lock" or "go out"
• clicking or popping sounds of the jaw joint

There can also be other complaints, including headaches, earaches and dizziness. (Read about "Headaches" "Earache" and dizziness in "Balance Disorders")

Causes and treatment options

According to the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) TMDs are about two- to five-times more common in women than in men. TMD can be caused by a number of different things, including stress, teeth grinding, degenerative joint disease (Read about "Stress" "Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases"), injury or a displaced disc between the upper and lower bones of the jaw joint.

For those suffering from TMD, treatments vary based on individual diagnosis. NIDR says that if the only symptom is a clicking sound in the jaw, and there is no pain or problem with jaw movement, there may not be a need for any kind of treatment. If there is pain, the American Dental Association (ADA) and NIDR say the following may help:

• Apply moist heat or ice packs.
• Ask a doctor about prescription medication such as muscle relaxants, analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs to try to eliminate muscle spasm and pain. (Read about "Medicine Safety")
• Use an oral appliance, also called a splint or bite plate, which is a plastic guard that fits over the upper or lower teeth. The splint can help reduce clenching or grinding, which eases muscle tension.
• Avoid extreme jaw movements such as wide yawning, loud singing and gum chewing.
• Use relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw. To help eliminate stress, tooth grinding or clenching, dentists may also suggest counseling.

When non-invasive treatments seem unsuccessful, surgery may sometimes be recommended. However, NIDR urges extreme caution when considering surgical or invasive options. The TMJ Association also points out that TMJ problems can resolve over time, just with patients taking mild pain-relieving drugs and using heat, cold or non-invasive therapies. According to the TMJ Association, none of the surgical treatments for severe cases have been proven effective in long-term controlled clinical trials. If pain is persistent, NIDR suggests that a consultation with a pain clinic may help lead to ways to cope. (Read about "Chronic Pain")

Related Information:

    Headaches

    Neck Pain and Work