TMJ Information: Best Treatment for TMJ May Be NothingWritten by Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
Up to 75% of Americans have one or more signs of a temporomandibular problem, most of which come and go and finally disappear on their own. Specialists from Boston estimate that only 5% to 10% of people need treatment.
Also known as TMJ, for the joint where the upper and lower jaws meet, temporomandibular disorders actually represent a wider class of head pain and problems that can involve this pesky joint, the muscles involved in chewing, and related head and neck muscles and bones. But too often, experts say, patients fail to have the problem examined in a comprehensive way and undergo costly and sometimes irreversible therapies that may do little or nothing to relieve their symptoms. As scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research wrote recently, “Less is often the best in treating TMJ disorders.”
A New UnderstandingThe TMJ is a complicated joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone at the side of the head. It has both a hinge and a sliding motion. When the mouth is opening, the rounded ends, or condyles, of the lower jaw glide along the sockets of the temporal bones. Muscles are both connected to the both the jaw and the temporal bones, and a soft disc between them absorbs shocks to the jaw from chewing and other jaw movements.
TMJ problems were originally thought to stem from dental malocclusions-upper and lower teeth misalignment-and improper jaw position. That prompted a focus on fitting patients with braces to realign their teeth and change how the jaws come together. But later studies revealed that malocclusion itself was an infrequent cause of facial pain and other temporomandibular symptoms. Rather the cause is now considered multifactorial, with biological, behavioral, environmental, social, emotional and cognitive factors, alone or in combination, contributing to the development of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.
According to the American Academy of Orafacial Pain, the disorder “usually involves more than one symptom and rarely has a single cause.” Some of the “mechanical” causes that are now recognized as distorting the function of the TMJ are congenital or developmental abnormalities of the jaw; displacement of the disc between the jaw bones; inflammation or arthritis that causes the joint to degenerate; traumatic injury to the joint (sometimes just from opening the mouth too wide); tumors; infection; and excessive laxity or tightness of the joint.
But the most common TMJ problem is known as myofacial pain disorder, a neuromuscular problem of the chewing muscles characterized by a dull, aching pain in and around the ear that may radiate to the side or back of the head or down the neck. Someone with this disorder may have tender jaw muscles, hear clicking or popping noises in the jaw, or have difficulty opening or closing the mouth. Simple acts like chewing, talking excessively or yawning can make the symptoms worse. Jaw irritating habits, like clenching the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding at night, biting the lips or fingernails, chewing gum or chewing on a pencil, can make the problem worse or longer lasting. Psychological factors often play a role, especially depression, anxiety or stress.
Proper AssessmentThe overwhelming majority of people with TMJ symptoms are women. Women represent up to 90 percent of patients who seek treatment. Most patients are middle age adults. It is recommended patients obtain a thorough assessment of the problem before choosing therapy, especially if they have symptoms like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and migraine headaches.
Doctors and dentists should start with a thorough history-you can get 80 to 90 percent of the information needed just from talking to the patient about their habits. This should be followed by a physical examination, checking for signs like muscle tenderness and pain in the jaw, limited jaw opening and noises. M.R.I by CT scans with cone beam images are one of the biggest advances in diagnosis. For those with complicated problems, patients should visit a multidisciplinary temporomandibular clinic, found at many leading hospitals and dental schools.
Therapy OptionsResting the jaw is the most important therapy. Stop harmful chewing and biting habits, avoid opening your mouth wide while yawning or laughing, and temporarily eat only soft foods. It also helps to apply heat to the side of the face and to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, for up to 2 weeks.
Other self care measures include not leaning on or sleeping on the jaw and not playing wind, brass or string instruments that stress, strain or thrust back the jaw. Physical therapy to retrain positioning of the spine, head, jaw and tongue can be helpful, as can heat treatments with ultrasound and short wave diathermy. Stress management and relaxation techniques like massage, yoga, and counseling sessions are also helpful.
If you clench or grind your teeth, you can be fitted with a mouth guard that is inserted like a retainer or removable denture, especially at night, to prevent this joint damaging behavior. Patients should be cautioned on embarking on any expensive, irreversible treatment before a thorough diagnosis is completed and simple, reversible therapies have been tried first. As with other joints, surgery is a treatment of last resort, when medical management has been proved ineffective.
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