TMJ refers to the syndrome affecting the temporomandibular joint, where the jaw meets the skull.Source: Getty Images
Facts you should know about temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
- The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint is injured or damaged, it can lead to a localized pain disorder called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
- Causes of TMJ disorders include injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding or clenching, poor posture, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing.
- Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome include
- TMJ disorders often responds to home remedies, including ice packs to the joint, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), avoiding chewing gum, massage or gentle stretches of the jaw and neck, and stress reduction.
- When home treatment does not work, medical treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome includes dental splints, Botox injections, physical therapy, prescription medications, and in severe cases, surgery.
- The prognosis for TMD is generally good as people usually can manage the disorder with self-care and home remedies.
TMJ Symptom
Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joints are complex structures containing muscles, tendons, and bones. Injury to or disorders of these structures can all result in pain in the jaw area. Jaw pain may occur on one side or on both sides, depending upon the cause. Also depending upon the exact cause, the pain may occur when chewing or may occur at rest. Additionally, other medical conditions not related to the TMJ may cause perceived pain in the jaw area.
TMJ syndrome can manifest as pain and swelling in the jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles.Source: iStock
What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by injury or inflammation to the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is the connection between the jawbone and the skull. The injured or inflamed temporomandibular joint leads to pain with chewing, clicking, crackling, and popping of the jaw; swelling on the sides of the face; nerve inflammation; headaches, including migraines; tooth grinding (bruxism); Eustachian tube dysfunction; and sometimes dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. A temporomandibular joint syndrome is also known as a temporomandibular joint disorder.
What are the risk factors for TMJ syndrome?
There are several risk factors for TMD:
- Poor posture in the neck and upper back muscles may lead to neck strain and abnormalities of jaw muscle function.
- Stress may increase muscle tension and jaw clenching.
- Women 18-44 years of age have increased risk.
- Patients with other chronic inflammatory arthritis have increased risk.
- People with jaw trauma or poorly positioned teeth have increased risk.
- People who have a genetic predisposition to pain sensitivity and increased stress responses may be more susceptible.
Causes may include misalignment (malocclusion) of or trauma to the teeth or jaw.Source: iStock
What causes TMJ syndrome?
Medical professionals do no completely understand the causes of TMD. Multiple factors contribute to the muscle tightness and dysfunction that characterize this condition. It is not clear whether some of these causes directly lead to TMJ syndrome or if they are a result of the disorder. Causes may include
- misalignment (malocclusion) of or trauma to the teeth or jaw,
- teeth grinding (bruxism),
- poor posture,
- stress or anxiety,
- arthritis and other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders,
- orthodontic braces, and
- excessive gum chewing.
What are TMJ syndrome symptoms and signs?
The main TMD symptom is pain in the jaw joint. This joint is located just in front of the ear, and pain associated with TMD may involve the face, eye, forehead, ear, or neck. Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction include the following:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially at the area of the joint
- Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus)
- Pain that feels like a toothache
- Ear pain (earache) or sounds of cracking in the ears
- Ringing or popping sounds in the ears (tinnitus) or a sense of fullness in the ears
- Headaches, including migraines
- Blurred vision
- Tight, stiff, or sore jaw or neck muscles
- Muscle spasms in the jaw
- Facial pain, mouth pain, jaw pain, cheek pain, or chin numbness or tingling
- Pain at the base of the tongue
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the temple area
- Difficulty chewing
- Shoulder pain
- Locking or dislocation of the jaw (usually after widely yawning), referred to as lockjaw
- Dizziness or vertigo
TMJ syndrome can be diagnosed by a doctor during a physical exam.Source: Bigstock
How do health care professionals diagnose TMJ syndrome?
A doctor will diagnose TMD by taking the patient's medical history and doing a physical exam to find the cause of the symptoms. There is no specific test to diagnose TMD. A doctor may send the patient to an oral and maxillofacial specialist, an otolaryngologist (also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT specialist), or a dentist specializing in jaw disorders to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes a health care professional may order an MRI of the temporomandibular joint to detect damage to the cartilage of the jaw joint and to rule out other medical problems.
A condition that may have some similar symptoms to TMD is trigeminal neuralgia. The trigeminal nerve supplies nerve impulses to the temporomandibular joint, and when irritated, it can cause facial pain. Other causes of face or neck pain include swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands), giant cell arteritis, salivary gland disease, sore throat, ill-fitting dentures, or dental braces.
TMJ syndrome treatments vary but focus on treating the symptoms of TMJ.Source: Getty Images
8 Most popular treatments and 6 home remedies for TMJ pain relief
Many symptoms of TMJ disorders can respond well to home remedies or stress reduction and relaxation techniques. The best home remedies may provide some relief are:
- Ice or cold packs to the area of the joint
- Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), and other pain relievers, including aspirin (Ecotrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum
- Massage or gentle self-stretching of the jaw and neck muscles (A doctor or physical therapist can recommend appropriate stretches.)
- Relaxation techniques and stress management and reduction
- Some sedative essential oils (such as lavender, chamomile, sweet marjoram, and clary sage) may provide temporary relief from the pain and discomfort of TMJ.
When home remedies are not effective, medical treatment options may be necessary. Most of these types of treatments and remedies will not cure TMD, but they can provide temporary and even long-term relief from the pain symptoms. These most common treatments include the following:
- A dental splint (occlusal splint or stabilization splint or bite guard), which is a dental appliance placed in the mouth that keeps the teeth in alignment and prevents tooth grinding. This resembles a mouth guard and is usually prescribed and fitted by a jaw specialist.
- A medical professional may use Botox to relax the muscles of the jaw. However, this is not currently an FDA-approved treatment for TMD.
- Physical therapy with jaw exercises can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and range of motion.
- In states where medical marijuana is legal, a physician may prescribe it to help with severe TMJ pain.
- Biobehavioral management (biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT]) may help diminish pain intensity.
- Trigger point acupuncture can sometimes be helpful.
- In severe cases, surgery on the jaw or dental surgery may be necessary.
- TMJ arthroscopy or arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure usually done in an outpatient setting. The recovery time for this procedure is about a week.
- Sometimes a total joint replacement may be necessary. This generally requires a stay in the hospital for several days, and surgery recovery time is four to six weeks.
- The following prescription-strength medicines may be used to treat TMJ:
- Muscle relaxants: metaxalone (Skelaxin), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: nabumetone (Relafen), meloxicam (Mobic), celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Steroid injections: beclomethasone (Qvar)
- Tricyclic antidepressants: nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), and desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Norfranil, Tipramine, Tofranil)
- Benzodiazapines: diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax)
- Sleep medications: doxepin (Silenor)
- Nerve pain medications: gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), levetiracetam (Keppra), pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Opiate pain medications hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet)
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TMJ syndrome is often resolved with at-home treatment and TMJ pain management.Source: iStock
What types of doctors treat TMJ?
A primary care provider (PCP), such as a family practitioner, internist, or a child's pediatrician, may first diagnose your TMJ. Your doctor may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial specialist, an otolaryngologist (also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT specialist), or a dentist specializing in jaw disorders (prosthodontist, also called a prosthetic dentist) for further treatment. You may also see a pain-management specialist if your TMJ pain is severe.
What is the prognosis for TMJ syndrome?
The prognosis for TMJ syndrome is generally good. There are numerous causes for TMJ syndrome, so the outlook depends on the cause, if known. Most people can manage the discomfort with self-care and home remedies.
Complications of long-term TMJ syndrome include chronic face pain or chronic headaches. In severe situations, where pain is chronic, or associated with other inflammatory disorders, long-term treatment may be necessary.
Is it possible to prevent TMJ syndrome?
Symptoms of TMJ syndrome tend to be episodic and related to stress and lifestyle.
Prevention of TMJ syndrome symptoms can often be achieved using self-care at home, such as
- eating soft foods;
- avoiding chewing gum;
- maintaining proper posture;
- practicing stress reduction and relaxation techniques;
- using dental splint appliances as recommended by a jaw care professional;
- using proper safety equipment to prevent jaw fractures and dislocations while exercising, working, or participating in sports.