The temporomandibular joints, called TMJ or TMD, are the joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth. Located on each side of the head, your TMJ work together when you chew, speak or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. They also control the lower jaw as it moves forward, backward and side-to-side. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.
The condition is very common in our culture, so we evaluate every patient for TMJ dysfunction at their regular dental exam. If we detect a problem, our goals are to arrest it, protect teeth from further damage, and correct underlying bite misalignment.
Signs and symptoms of TMD / TMJ
- Jaw muscle tension
- Clicking or popping in the jaw joint
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Radiant pain in the extremities
- Inability to open or close the mouth
- Bruxism, or grinding and clinching the teeth
- Migraines or tension headaches
Benefits of TMD / TMJ therapy
- Alleviate your chronic discomfort
- Reduce your risk for dental damage
- Enjoy your meals again
- Protect your ear health
- Enhance your overall health
- Boost your mood and quality of life.
TMD (TMJ) Therapy Procedure
Therapy may involve fitting you with a physiologic bite appliance, suggesting ways to alleviate stress, and recommending symptom relief measures.
Typically, TMJ patients need to avoid chewing gum or hard, chewy food, take smaller bites, and alternate chewing between both sides of the mouth. Good nutrition will help the joint heal more quickly; good posture will also help relieve discomfort. A straight back, relaxed neck, and side-sleeping position are also helpful.
To relieve soreness, light temple and jaw massage will stimulate circulation and relax the muscles. If pain is persistent, we suggest alternating moist heat with a cold compress for 20 minutes to further increase circulation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or analgesics can be very helpful as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJD
You should see rapid relief from symptoms, but the length of treatment depends on how the severity of the condition. When TMJD is caught early, most patients have a shorter course of treatment. If you suspect you have the symptoms of TMJD, please contact Dr. Fleming today at (317) 884-1884 to set up your initial consultation.
The TMJD treatment procedure is broken into three steps. First, Dr. Fleming will seek to relieve your pain and symptoms over the short-term. Then he will stabilize your bite to prevent further damage to the TMJ’s and your teeth. Finally, he uses long-term treatment options to permanently correct your bite. He may use some combination of the following:
- Coronoplasty – this process reshapes your tooth enamel to help slightly misaligned teeth fit better.
- Removable overlays – permanent orthotics that fit over your teeth to maintain bite alignment.
- Reconstruction – In this procedure, porcelain crowns are placed on teeth to make them higher and better-fitted to provide structural support for the jaw.
- Orthodontics – If your teeth are healthy, this may be recommended to move them into the correct position.
Dr. Fleming utilizes advanced state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose TMJD. This can include computerized instruments like the Myotronics K-7, a device designed to measure and track jaw and muscle information to gather critical information about your bite, electromyographic muscle analysis, and sonographic joint analysis in addition to the joint X-rays.
The only way to know for sure is to be examined by Dr. Fleming. If you have some combination of severe headaches and jaw or tooth pain, and your doctor cannot locate the cause or give satisfactory treatment, it is a good idea to see if you are suffering from TMJD.