I'm suffering because of TMJ I could not even bite candy.What will be the aid for this dysfunction?
Zerell, Philippines
Dr. Frager:I am sorry to hear about the TMJ pain you are experiencing. I would certainly be interested in helping you, but I would need to know more about your condition. Please go to http://www.mytmjdoctor.com/appointment.html and review the typical symptoms that you might be having and how they could be treated. After you have reviewed them, you can respond to me and let me know your TMJ symptoms that you are experiencing. Then perhaps, I could make some suggestions that might bring you some relief.
Question: I have been in pain for the last 2 years and I am only 19! About 2 years ago when this all started I had a pretty severe injury to my head, jaw and neck. I started going to a Chiropractor, doctor, and even an allergist for sinus pressure. I have been to 3 diff chiropractors, 2 dentists and my doctor multiple times. I was diagnosed with TMJ, whiplash and a reversed cervical curve. My jaw pops every time I chew, I feel like I am in a fog, My ears sometimes get randomly clogged, I get sharp shooting pains in my temples, forehead, eyebrow, right next to my eye, my ears and all over the back and sometimes top of my head. I also have pretty bad tinnitus (ringing in the ears) when I am in a quiet room or trying to sleep. My neck feels tight, achy and sore all the time. Even when I get 9+ hours of sleep, I wake up feeling like I had slept for like 2 hours. I wear a night guard at night and it dosent seem to be helping. Every time I roll my neck I hear cracking and popping. I also have a whole bunch of little painless bumps deep in my neck along my spine, and one larger soft one. (My chiropractor said that it was tissue, my doctor said they were tendons) I ruled out sinusitis with a CT scan of my sinuses, so it is not allergy related. Should I have an MRI done of my neck and head to rule out really bad stuff? Also to see if there was any tissue damage? All my doctors say that TMJ is causing a lot of these symptoms. The funny thing is, my jaw is the least of my problems at the moment, even though it aches, and pops from time to time, but all the other symptoms are more common than jaw symptoms. for the first 3-4 months after the injury i had severe headaches EVERY DAY!! but for the last year and 5 months i have only had 4-5 minor headaches. Im so confused...barley any headaches!?. Could all of this pain be muscle tension related?
Dr. Marcarian:You need to find a dentist who is specialized in TMJ treatment in your area. You self diagnosed yourself with a TMD in your email, I wonder what keep you so long to see a TMJ Dentist? (You need an TMJ orthotic and not a night guard). Good luck
Dr. Holderbaum: All together there are about sixty signs and symptoms Please refer to our web site coloradospringstmjdentist.com TMJ dentistry then signs and symptoms and you will find some of the major ones.
I grind my teeth at night. Could this lead to TMJ disorder?
Dr. Holderbaum: Actually, the TMJ problem leads to the grinding, because these components that are of normal physiologic function are out of SYNC------ muscles,joints and teeth( lower jaw that teeth set in)
I was recently diagnosed with a temporary type of TMJ due to
oral syrgery. I am not dealing with the intense discomfort I was dealing
with last week and the week befor, except when I have sex, just before
orgasam, I have severe sharp pain in my head. I am assuming this is due
to the TMJ, but, I am going to ask anyway... Is this correct and why?
Dr. Slota: Yes it could be as a result of your TMJ. The TMJ could be temporary or long term in nature. Sharp pains in your head are muscular in nature. You should seek treatment from a Neuromuscularly trained dentist.
My implants and caps and false teeth are a result of some bad dental work. Now I have other problems such as tendinitis and tmj disorder. Can anything be done. I am 70 and want to be able to smile. The grinding bones in my jaw are scary. There is numbness around my mouth.
Dr. Slota: Yes Myrna, something can be done. You need to have someone with neuromuscular dental knowledge treat you.
Symptoms: Pain is the most common symptom. TMJ pain is often described as a dull aching pain in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear, which comes and goes. Some people, however, report no pain, but still have problems using their jaws. Other symptoms can include:
Being unable to open the mouth comfortably
Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
Headaches
A bite that feels uncomfortable or “off”
Neck, shoulder and back pain
Swelling on the side of the face
Additional symptoms may include: ringing in the ears, ear pain, decreased hearing, dizziness and vision problems.
Keep in mind that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common, and is not always a cause for concern. Many people with certain TMJ problems get better without treatment. Often the problem goes away on its own in several weeks to months. However, if the pain is severe and lasts more than a few weeks, see your dentist.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. While both men and women experience TMJ problems, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.
The TMJ:
"TMJ" stands for TemporoMandibular Joint, or the jaw joint. You have two TMJs, one in front of each ear, connecting the lower jaw bone (the mandible) to the skull. The joints allow movement up and down, side to side, and forward and back—all the mobility necessary for biting, chewing and swallowing food, for speaking and for making facial expressions.
TMJ Diseases/Disorders:
Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders, commonly called TMJ, are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. Injury and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also affect the temporomandibular joint.
Dr. Slota: TMJ is treatable. It can resolve on its own. Yes, we cure most TMJ issues! Finding the proper jaw alignment eliminates the symptoms. Orthodontics, partials, full mouth rehabilitation or a combination these treatments will definitively treat your TMJ.
I'm suffering because of TMJ I could not even bite candy.What will be the aid for this dysfunction?
