Archive for August, 2009

TMJ Bite

August 10th, 2009

Any TMJ Syndrome dysfunction of the muscle may cause incorrect bite by occlusion of the teeth. Teeth may become sensitive if traumatized by this, demonstrating one of the many interplays between muscle, joint, and tooth.

Some of the most common complaints are disorders of the TMJ muscles. Pain and dysfunction are two observations regarding the TMJ muscle. Jaw movement limitation (minor or severe) is the most spread TMJ Dysfunction of the muscle.

Joint sounds as clicking or popping often occur as the only representation. These symptoms of TMJ Disorder are caused by over usage of the mastication muscles. Biting habits like fingernails biting or pencil chewing, continuously chewing gum, clenching habits and grinding habits are among most common causes.

Teeth disorders can contribute to TMJ dysfunction and also the other way around. Tooth loss and low tooth mobility can be caused by the supporting bone being destroyed by heavy forces placed on the teeth. The way teeth contact one another is affected by the movement of the teeth and the relationship between joints, muscles and teeth can suffer alterations.

TMJ Lock Jaw

August 10th, 2009

The TMJ dysfunction is most often seen in regards to the condyle of the mandible and the disc relationship. This dysfunction produces sounds usually described as a “pop” or a “click” and as “crepitation” or “crepitus” for multiple rough sounds.

In severe cases TMJ Disorder can lead to jaw lock because of severely worn out cartilage or bone components of the TMJ.

An inflamation of the muscle can also lead to severe jaw lock.

TMJ Ear Pain

August 10th, 2009

Ear pain is reported as a TMJ Symptom.

Ear pain can be confused with TMJ Syndrome pain because of the ear being so close to the temporomandibular joint. The pain is reported in around half of the TMJ Disorder patients and experienced as earache (otalgia). TMJ Disorder is a possible cause of secondary otalgia. In these cases treatment of TMJ Disorder can significantly reduce otalgia symptoms, facial pain, and atypical facial pain. There still is an ongoing debate on whether TMJ Disorder therapy reduces symptoms in the ear.