Experiencing pain in the jaw area can be a cause of uncertainty and aggravation. This pain can show up while eating, while talking, or after just waking up. This type of pain is often believed to be due to muscle tension, poor food choices, or oral hygiene. However the actual reason behind your jaw pain may be much more complex and may actually relate to something as serious as a misalignment of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the small yet highly complicated joint that provides the ability for the jaw to move.
Knowing how to assess the TMJ could help you determine if your pain is simply an isolated incident or if you are experiencing a contracture of the TMJ.
The TMJ is the connection between the skull and lower jaw that enables gliding and rotating plus opens and closes smoothly during movements. Since the joint is active and used continuously, very little mechanical disturbance can produce considerable discomfort in the area.
Mechanical disturbances come primarily from
The above-mentioned forces create repetitive strain on both internal structures of the TMJ joint itself, as well as surrounding muscles. In time, the disc inside the joint’s centre could shift or lose its correct position; hence, the TMJ movements may become uneven, produce muscle tightness or fatigue in TMJ and contribute to what many people would call jaw discomfort.
The discomfort associated with TMJ follows a specific pattern. If you are experiencing several of the symptoms listed below, it is highly likely that TMJ contributes to your problems.
One of the most noticeable symptoms of a TMJ condition is when the disc within the joint does not move smoothly back and forth and makes noise while rotating around the condyle (jawbone) instead of gliding down into position properly. This symptom usually occurs early.
If you experience increased discomfort while chewing, talking or yawning, this may be due to joint mechanics being out of balance and therefore, causing an increase in pain when performing activities that require joint movement.
Clenching teeth together or grinding the teeth during sleep causes the muscles around the cheekbone, temples and jaw to become fatigued and stiff, causing tightness in these areas.
The TMJ is located very close to the ear canal. Mechanics of the TMJ cause a feeling of fullness, ringing (tinnitus), or pressure inside the ears, especially when moving the jaw.
Another indication of an improper-functioning TMJ is if the mouth does not open or close evenly which can be caused by many factors including but not limited to structural problems, muscle derangement, and/or disc derangement.
The more of these signs you have together increases your chances of having TMJ issues.
To diagnose TMJ disorders, doctors assess the quality of movement of the jaws, listen for sounds from the joints and test the responses of the jaw joints to various forces. Since the symptoms of TMJ disorders often resemble sinus or dental problems, careful evaluation is necessary.
Dr. Luis is a specialist in diagnosing and treating tinnitus due to TMJ disorders and has a great deal of experience treating mechanical/jaw disorders. He only looks for problems inside the jaw (internal/external) and does not evaluate for other possibilities. Dr. Luis’ evaluation will include how your jaw moves, how the disc functions and the role that mechanical problems may have in causing your pain.
Once TMJ disorder is diagnosed, it must be treated in a manner to restore the normal mechanics of the jaw.
Dr. Luis uses TMJ arthroscopy as the main method of treatment. This is a minimally invasive method that provides access to the inside of the TMJ through a very small incision. By making a small entry into the joint, Dr. Luis can resolve mechanical problems such as disc displacement or irritation within the joint directly within the joint.
TMJ arthroscopy can:
Reducing discomfort or issues about your face related to the ear
Most patients who have realigned their mechanics of their jaws have reported improvement in their jaw’s ability to move, a reduction in facial tightness, and a decrease in any associated symptoms (tinnitus).
It is easy to assume that jaw pain is a straightforward issue; however, jaw pain typically has a more severe problem or mechanical imbalance within the temporomandibular joint. When the joint does not maintain its normal position or functions, the body will respond with tension on the muscles and surrounding structures.
If you are experiencing any additional symptoms, such as clicking or tightness, ear-symptoms, or inability to move the jaw completely, it is time for you to consult with a specialist. Based on a targeted approach that provides information about the mechanics of the TMJ, Dr. Luis helps patients identify the true cause of these symptoms and restore comfort in one of the most important joints in our body.