Facial soreness and tension can be difficult to identify. They can show in different ways, such as stiffness in the mouth and neck. Some people describe it as ‘pulling’ at the sides of their mouths when they talk or chew. Many people do not realize that one reason they may be experiencing facial soreness or tightness is due to issues with their temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When a person experiences an issue with their TMJ, the surrounding muscles and ligaments tend to react with tightness and soreness. One of the best ways to identify if your discomfort is related to the TMJ, is to determine the root cause of your discomfort.
This blog will help you understand if the facial discomfort you’re feeling is due to the TMJ or not.
Of all joints in the body, the TM Joint is one of the most highly active. It is responsible for chewing, talking, yawning and nearly all movement of the lower jaw (mandible). Located near the ear and surrounded by very small muscles, a small disruption in function (mechanics) can create pain and/or pressure throughout other parts of the body.
There are many mechanical sources that may result in TMJ pain and discomfort. Some examples:
The repetitive stresses placed on the TM joint alter the ability of the jaw to move freely within the joint (natural gliding motion of the joint). When the joint is overworked, disturbed or misaligned, it will cause the rest of the body to become affected. The cheeks, temples, jawline and ears will all begin to feel tight or become tense.
TMJ disorder’s facial discomfort is typically patterns. Most frequently occurring.
If your discomfort increases during chewing, talking or yawning due to the activity of your jaw, the cause is likely coming from your jaw joint.
If you hear a clicking or popping noise, this indicates that the internal disc inside your TMJ is not travelling smoothly which means there is a mechanical issue with your jaw joint.
The TMJ is close to the external ear canal. Therefore, its dysfunction may cause symptoms in the auditory system. Ears will often feel full, pressure builds up, and the sensation will sound muffled when TMJ is aggravated.
Many people will wake up in the morning with tension on their cheeks or jaws due to teeth grinding or clenching during sleep.
Usually, TMJ issues will show symptoms only on one side at first. If one side of your chin feels more tense than the other, it is likely due to a difference in mechanics of the teeth or jaws on either side.
Whenever more than one of these symptoms occur together, then it is likely that you have developed a TMJ disorder.
A TMJ specialist knows when the movement seems off, they listens for unusual sounds made by the jaw, and checks for any mechanical problems like disc dislocation or restricted movement. Since symptoms associated with TMJ often overlap with teeth, nose, and sinuses; diagnosing accurately is necessary to prevent a patient from receiving unnecessary treatment.
Dr. Luis is a specialist whose focus has been specifically on TMJ. He has only assessed the mechanical issues contributing to TMJ rather than other unrelated issues that cause a patient discomfort to their face.
After the diagnosis of TMJ Disorder has been made. The aim is to return the jaw to normal mechanics. Using TMJ arthroscopy is what Dr. Luis uses as the main treatment for TMJ. It is an minimally invasive procedure and allows the specialist to visualize and correct the internal problems of the joint.
Using a TMJ arthroscopy the specialist will be able to:
Once the mechanics of the joint are corrected, many of Dr. Luis’s patients reported having better jaw movement, but also no longer experiencing facial tension and tinnitus.
Facial discomfort is often misunderstood, but the TMJ plays a far bigger role than most people realize. If your discomfort is paired with jaw sounds, tightness, or ear-related symptoms, the underlying issue may be mechanical and highly treatable.
With a targeted approach centered on TMJ arthroscopy, Dr. Luis helps patients understand the true cause of their symptoms and restore balance to one of the body’s most vital joints.