What is Temporomandibular Dysfunction?

Temporomandibular Dysfunction is a dental term, which describes a collection of symptoms, which result when the chewing muscles and jaw joints do not work together correctly. "TMJ" is a popular term commonly used to describe the same group of symptoms. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joints. These are the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull. When these joints are out of place, they can cause many problems, such as:

Problems within this complex can produce a myriad of symptoms, which at first glance, might appear to be totally unrelated to the jaw complex. Muscle spasm goes hand-in-hand with displaced jaw joints. Because the nerves and muscles are so complex in this area, when these muscles are in spasm the problems can be far-reaching. People suffer from symptoms they would never think to associate with their bite, such as:
 

Such symptoms may relate to your bite. They can successfully be treated by a dentist who has special education in managing these disorders. The primary problem can be in the joints themselves, the muscles of the face and jaw, or a combination of these. Because the symptoms masquerade as so many other conditions, many people travel from doctor to doctor in search of a cure. It is estimated that as many as 44 million of the general population suffer from one or more of these symptoms. Many never think to seek a dentist for help. Although all of these individuals may not have conditions severe enough to warrant treatment, many sufferers have developed such debilitating pain so as to degrade the quality of their life making family, social and business interrelationships difficult if not impossible.
 

What Causes Temporomandibular Dysfunction?

The structures that make it possible to open and close your mouth include the bones, joints, and muscles. These are very specialized and must work together whenever you chew, speak, or swallow. Your teeth are inserted in your jaw bone. At the other end of your jaw bone are the temporomandibular joints. These joints attach your jaw to your skull. Muscles attach both the bones and joints and allow them to move. Any problem which prevents the complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working together in harmony, may result in TMJ Dysfunction.
 

Jaw Joint Displacement

Each jaw joint is a ball and socket joint. When functioning properly, the ball and socket do not actually touch because a thin disc of cartilage rides between them. The disc acts as a cushion and allows the joint to move smoothly. Each disc is held in place and guided by muscle. If your bite is not right, the joint is pulled out of alignment. Typically the disc is pulled forward. Since it no longer serves as a cushion, the joint itself now rubs against the bony socket and presses on pain fibres. Mild displacements cause a clicking or popping sound in the jaw joint; more severe displacements can be very painful and eventually can cause permanent damage to the joint, a grinding noise and arthritis.
 

Muscle Spasm

Your upper and lower teeth must come together firmly each time you swallow. This happens over 2000 times each day and night! When your bite is unstable your muscles must work extra hard. This extra work makes them shortened and stiff. Eventually this strain makes them feel painful. A vicious cycle begins of increased tissue damage, muscle tenderness, and pain. The pain makes you feel tense and uptight. This worsens the muscle spasm, which in turn increases the pain.
 

A "Bad Bite"

The Body affects the Jaw and Teeth

It is also important to remember that in the same way that a jaw joint displacement will cause an unstable bite and affect the rest of the body, any dysfunction in any other body part can in turn adversely affect the jaw and bite. We are also trained in Cranio Sacral Therapy and specialize in diagnosing the full extend of the problem.

SPLINTS RELIEVE TMJ SYMPTOMS

Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from headaches, dizziness, or other symptoms caused by TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome? Maybe we can help. Various types of clear plastic splints can be used to treat TMJ syndrome. A bruxism splint, worn mostly at night, keeps you from grinding your teeth and helps reduce muscle tension. It does not treat the cause of the TMJ symptoms but only allows you to grind against it at night instead of grinding against your base teeth. You wear down the appliance instead of your teeth.

This is the common "night guard" made by most dentists and is a low level, minimal treatment approach. A repositioning appliance is worn 24 hours a day to move the dislocated parts of your jaw joint into alignment and allow the joints to heal in their normal anatomical position. A stabilization appliance, also worn 24 hours a day, relaxes your muscles around the jaw joints and attempts to stabilize shifting teeth and changing bite caused by the TMJ problem. It is effective only as long as it is worn and does not attempt to treat the cause of instability. Your splint will be custom fitted from impressions of your teeth, to make it as comfortable as possible. It is made from transparent material and almost invisible. You may need to wear a splint for three to twelve months or longer. During that time, we'll adjust the fit as your jaw posture changes .

Treatment

Since the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles can all be involved, treatment for this condition varies with the specific problems you have. Treatment will involve several phases. The first goal is to relieve the muscle spasm and pain, and restore the dislocated disc with in the jaw joint to its normal anatomical position.

Then, your dentist must correct the way the teeth fit together. Often a temporary device (known as an orthotic, or "splint") is worn over the lower teeth until the jaw joint is stabilized. Dr. Bothma typically uses various types of splints that are comfortably worn and not visible to an observer in the first stage of your treatment. Once the jaw joint are fixed your treatment advances into the second stage of bite correction so the splint will no longer have to be worn. During your treatment we will also make use of complimentary modalities like Physiotherapy, Chiropractic Medicine, Homeopathy, Massage and Cranio Sacral Therapy to speed up the healing process.

You may already be making use of a complimentary health practitioner. Please discuss this with your dentist so that we can work with your healer! Permanent correction of your bite may involve selective re-shaping of the teeth, building crowns on the teeth, orthodontics, or a permanent appliance to lay over the teeth. If the jaw joint itself is damaged, it must be specifically treated.

Though infrequent, surgery is sometimes required to correct a damaged joint. Ultimately, your specialist will stabilize your bite so that the teeth, muscles, and joints all work together without strain. The important aim of correcting your bite is to insure optimal long-term health. If you have any of the signs or symptoms mentioned, discuss them with your dentist. Your health is your most priceless possession. It is worth the investment!

TMJ Self-Diagnostic and Self-Referral Program