Neck and Jaw
Dizziness
>The Neck, Pillows and Sleeping

TMJ DISORDERS
the great mimic

The letters TMJ are the abbreviation of Temporo- Mandibular Joint, which is the joint between your lower jaw and your skull

 Movement of this joint allows you to open and close your mouth and chew from side to side. Problems with this joint are common, nine out of ten people having at least one sign or symptom. If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that move your jaw will have to work a lot harder. Your teeth come together up to 2000 times a during biting and swallowing so it is not surprising that a TMJ problem can lead to muscles getting tired and going into spasm.

In some cases, however, the diagnosis is never made because TMJ disorders can lead to variety of seemingly unconnected presenting symptoms a multi-disciplinary approach between chiropractors and dentists mean correct and timely intervention.

What does it cause?

 Headaches, neck, shoulder and back pain, facial pain, ear pain, dizziness and tinnitus are commonly associated with TMJ dysfunction. This diagnosis may be missed. Pain or clicking in the jaw and grinding teeth, recurrent dental problems such as loose or broken teeth and decreased jaw movement are more likely to be attributed to jaw problems because of their more obvious association. Of course, diagnosis can be difficult because such a variety of symptoms can be caused by so many other conditions.

For example, trigeminal neuralgia, sinus problems or ear infections. That is why it is important to seek an expert opinion from a chiropractor or dentist.

Diagnosis

 Failure to establish a timely diagnosis can mean the problem can worsen needlessly. A good example is jaw pain after a whiplash type injury following a traffic accident, where early intervention is highly effective but delay can lead to fibrous gristle building up in the joint leading to permanent problems. If you have any of the below problems, you may very well be suffering from a TMJ disorder.

-         Do you have a jaw problem?

-          History of trauma or recent dental work.

-         Jaw clicks.

-         Reduced or painful range of jaw movement. As a rule, you should be able to fit a three-finger width between the teeth when the mouth is fully open.

-         Teeth fail to meet properly.

-         Grinding or clenching.

-         Tenderness around TMJ or surrounding muscles.

-         Recurrent symptoms in head, neck and shoulders, including headaches or migraines.

-         Biting of tongue, cheeks or lips.

-         Swallowing problems.

 




The next step

Many dentists do not specialise in jaw problems and, although they use orthodontic appliances, do so only from a cosmetic stand point. Indeed, some TMJ problems are caused by inappropriate dental intervention. Surgery to the joint or bony structure is a last resort as conservative treatment is often effective. We will be able to advise whether you have TMJ problem and what you can do about it.

Why chiropractors work with dentists?

 Chiropractors specialise in treating all joints of the body including the TMJ. Skull, neck and pelvic joint movements have been shown to change and be changed by bite problems. This is because some of the jaw problems connect to the spine and others connect to the skull which also influences spinal and pelvic function.

In one case, removing a 3/8” heel lift from a patient’s shoe altered the function of the muscles of jaw leading to sever bite problem. In many patients with TMJ and other musculo-skeletal disorders, the skills of both a dentist and a chiropractor are required to stabilise the condition.

Dental treatment relies on splints (similar to a sportsman’s mouth guard) and braces to modify muscular memory, improve joint function, relax muscles and reposition the jaw. This bite balancing is sometimes known as functional orthodontics. In patients with absent teeth, a bridge or implants are often needed to fill the gaps.

The chiropractor identifies the causes of TMJ problems originating form the spine, pelvis, skull and extremities whilst the dentist ensures the bite does not create any abnormal function of these systems.

Chiropractic treatment

 The chiropractic approach uses spinal, pelvic and extremity adjustment to restore restricted joint movement, pelvic support belts and rehabilitation exercises. In some cases, TMJ adjustment and muscle stretching procedures are used to normalise function by, for example, repositioning the TMJ on the joint disc.

This management approach whilst effective in most correctly diagnosed cases can take several months to reach conclusion. Often patients have chronic problems with the teeth, the TMJ and the musculo-skeletal system leading to degenerative joint arthritis in the TMJ and spine. This means people who have been everywhere and done everything with no help can often find relief.