What is it?

The temporomandibular joint is where the upper and lower jaw come together, directly in front of the ear. Inside this joint, muscles, tendons and a ball and socket type joint allow the upper jaw and lower jaw open and close correctly. The temporomandibular joint is used for all movement of your jaw including eating, talking, etc. As you can imagine, the TMJ is one of the joints you use the most in your body.

TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are typically just called "TMJ", and refer to conditions causing any type of dysfunction or pain in the jaw joint or muscles. Most of the time, pain in the jaw joint doesn't signal serious issues, and is often just a temporary condition. Sometimes however, the pain turns into long term problems.

Myofascial Pain is a common disorder involving pain in the jaw muscles.
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disorder that can also affect the temporomandibular joint.
Displaced Disc or internal derangement of the joint for any reason is another common disorder.

What causes TMJ?

Scientists still do not fully know the causes or understand proper treatment. For some people it is the result of trauma to the jaw, but for many the symptoms start without obvoius reasons. TMJ is more common in women than men, so research is being done to see if there are links to a woman's hormones.

Some believe stress and teeth grinding can play a role, and though there is no solid evidence to say this cannot happen, studies also do not have quantifiable data to prove that these cause the disorder.

Conservative Treatments

With so little known about the causes of TMJ, your Brooklyn dentist recommends a cautious, easily reversible approach to any treatment. Simple self care steps can be eating soft foods, avoiding extreme jaw movements, reducing stress and using ice packs to ease swelling or pain. Gentle stretching excercises might help as well.

Stabilizing splints can sometimes be used, but only briefly to avoid any permanent changes in the bite. All of these conservative treatments are for temporary relief however. They are not permanent cures.

Keep in mind that most people who experience symptoms, do not have a serious lasting condition. Even if you experience cycles of a symptom, do not be alarmed. If you do have a permanent condition, we again urge you to avoid permanent, irreversible treatment that affects your bit or jaw as research has still not determined causes and treatment, and the wrong treatment could make your condition worse.