The Complexity of the Temporomandibular Joints

The Johns Hopkins website explains the TMJs as follows:

“The temporomandibular joints are the 2 joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull…they are the joints that slide and rotate in front of each ear and consist of the mandible (the lower jaw) and the temporal bone (the side and base of the skull).”

What makes them the most complex joints in the human body is how they move: They allow the mandible to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. Johns Hopkins further explains, “When the mandible and the joints are properly aligned, smooth muscle actions, such as chewing, talking, yawning, and swallowing, can take place. When these structures (muscles, ligaments, disk, jaw bone, temporal bone) are not aligned,” painful TMJ symptoms will occur.

TMJ Symptoms

Due to the vast array of TMJ symptoms, TMJ disorder is often misdiagnosed. Many medical professionals simply do not have the education and experience to understand how certain symptoms are related to the jaw joints. For instance, ear pain and neck pain may present as many other ailments, and tingling in the fingers may never be associated with jaw dysfunction.

TMJ symptoms may affect any or all of the following areas:

  • Head
  • Neck
  • Face
  • Jaw
  • Ears
  • Back
  • Upper Extremities
  • Head
  • Neck
  • Face
  • Jaw
  • Ears
  • Back
  • Upper Extremities

TMJ disorder in Silver Spring may result in the following:

  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Facial pain
  • Facial numbness
  • Jaw pain
  • Jaw tightness
  • Locking of the jaw
  • Clenching/grinding of the teeth
  • Popping/clicking noises in the jaw when eating or talking
  • Ear pain
  • Ear fullness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Upper back pain
  • Tingling/numbness in the hands/fingers
  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Facial pain
  • Facial numbness
  • Jaw pain
  • Jaw tightness
  • Locking of the jaw
  • Clenching/grinding of the teeth
  • Popping/clicking noises in the jaw when eating or talking
  • Ear pain
  • Ear fullness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Upper back pain
  • Tingling/numbness in the hands/fingers

TMJ sufferers may experience just one or two of these symptoms, while others will experience many of them. These TMJ symptoms can seriously impact your quality of life. They may cause you to miss work, avoid social activities, lose sleep, and affect your ability to eat and speak normally.

Startling Statistics

Studies have shown that approximately 11-12 million adults in the U.S. have pain in the TMJ region, and TMJ dysfunction is twice as common in women than in men. Women between the ages of 35 and 44 years old experience TMJ more than other age groups.

However, please keep in mind that because TMJ is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, these numbers can be misleading. There are many people who never get an accurate TMJ diagnosis, and therefore, they never receive TMJ treatment. They’re not included in these statistics because they’re not reported.

Causes of TMJ Symptoms

While some people experience a definitive cause of TMJ, like a blow to the face or a car accident, many people never really learn why they have TMJ. Causes of TMJ symptoms include:

  • Excessive strain on the jaw joints and muscles involved with chewing and talking
  • Bruxism (involuntary clenching/grinding of the teeth)
  • Trauma to the head or neck
  • Arthritis
  • Displacement of the jaw joint disks
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Excessive strain on the jaw joints and muscles involved with chewing and talking
  • Bruxism (involuntary clenching/grinding of the teeth)
  • Trauma to the head or neck
  • Arthritis
  • Displacement of the jaw joint disks
  • Fibromyalgia

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has even identified “clinical, psychological, sensory, genetic, and nervous system factors that may put a person at higher risk of developing chronic TMD.”

A TMJ Dentist in Silver Spring Can Help

TMJ disorder in Silver Spring can be alleviated with highly effective, non-invasive, affordable treatments that provide amazing results. Dr. E. Chantal Bikoi, TMJ dentist at Artistic Family Dentistry of Silver Spring, has been treating TMJ for many years with great success.

She has spent her entire career creating a dental spa environment that puts patient comfort, safety, and relaxation first, and her dedication to providing unrivaled care is astounding. With numerous amenities in a gorgeous environment, Dr. Bikoi and her compassionate team offer relief of TMJ symptoms without surgery and without narcotic medication.

Please call Artistic Family Dentistry of Silver Spring today (240) 641-5828 to schedule a TMJ evaluation or fill out our online contact form. One of our staff will reach out to answer questions or explain how we can help alleviate your painful TMJ symptoms right away.