The temporomandibular joint acts as the hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. The joint is flexible, allowing movement of the jaw. This movement is controlled by muscles surrounding the joint.

Common symptoms of TMJ

Problems with any of these elements can cause a range of symptoms and some of them can be easily mistaken for other issues. That’s why it’s so important to consult a qualified dentist with experience in dealing with TMJ if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.

Headache

The majority of patients who experience TMJ symptoms complain of headaches and Migraine headaches to be specific. Many also experience discomfort in the face. This discomfort can often be increased while eating, talking or generally moving the jaw.

Earache

The temporomandibular joint is just under the ear, so it is common to experience earache. This discomfort often manifests just in front of or below the ear. If the ear is checked and no infection or other cause is found, a check for TMJ is often useful.

Discomfort in muscles

An ache or discomfort in the muscles around the jaw, neck or shoulders can also be a symptom of TMJ. If no other causes of this can be identified and you experience other symptoms described here, it is worth consulting a dentist.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus or ringing in the ear is another symptom of TMJ. While not painful, it can be irritating. This is another symptom that can indicate TMJ if no other cause if found. Occasionally, the ear may feel “full” for no reason. This can also be a symptom of TMJ.

Jaw locking or clicking

Experiencing jaw locking or clicking while you move it can be a symptom of TMJ if accompanied by discomfort. If the clicking is painless, it is likely not TMJ. However, if you’re not sure and you have experience it for a while, it’s worth consulting a dentist with experience in diagnosing the condition.

As you can see, many of the most common symptoms of TMJ can also be similar to other things. That’s one of the reasons why correctly diagnosing TMJ can be so problematic and why it’s so important to consult a dentist with experience diagnosing and treating temporomandibular joint disorder.

If you think you may be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder and would like a professional diagnosis, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today!

We service patients from Denville, Dover, Morristown, Morris Plains, Mountain Lakes, Randolph, Rockaway and all surrounding towns in NJ.

Temporomandibular joint disorder, TMJ, is a common issue that affects many of us at one time or another. It is a fairly straightforward condition with some simple solutions, but can cause a lot of discomfort until treated.

TMJ is often misdiagnosed as other things. The main symptoms of headaches, neck pain, muscle pain, limited movement in the jaw or clicking sounds when talking or chewing can also be indicative of others conditions.

That makes professional diagnosis essential. If your dentist doesn’t have experience diagnosing or treating TMJ, it’s important to find one that has. Aesthetic Family Dentistry has that experience. Misdiagnosis is easy and can lead to a prolonging of the condition, so it’s vital to get it right.

Diagnosis of TMJ

Diagnosing TMJ can take a little time because each of the symptoms can be caused by any number of conditions. That’s why it’s important to work with dentists who are qualified and experienced with working with TMJ.

Diagnosis is performed in several ways. Which methods we use depends on the symptoms and the situation. Sometimes, a simple bite alignment check is all that is needed. Occasionally, more thorough testing is necessary. We will discuss this with you at the time.

Diagnosis methods include:

• Dental exam to check bite alignment
• Physical check of bone and joint
• Postural examination to check for skeletal or posture problems
• X-ray or Low Dose 3D scan
• Joint vibrational analysis, tomography or electromyography

None of these diagnostic methods are painful, none of them are intrusive. All are designed to isolate a particular element of TMJ to build an accurate picture of whether it is TMJ causing your discomfort or something else.

Home Diagnosis of TMJ

We would always recommend coming to our dental office for a professional diagnosis of TMJ. However there is a quick home test you can perform yourself to see if it is likely you have the condition.

Open your jaw slightly and put a finger over the join between your jawbone and skull just in front of your ear. Open your mouth wider until you can feel the joint move under your fingertip. If the joint makes a sound or is tender where you touch, you may have TMJ.

If this is the case, you should make an appointment with our dentists   as soon as you can so we can diagnose if professionally.

If you’re suffering from muscle pain, jaw pain, neck ache, earache, migraines, headaches, have problems sleeping or your jaw makes clicking sounds when you eat or talk, you may have TMJ. Schedule an appointment with Aesthetic Family Dentistry for professional diagnosis and treatment. It’s the only way to go.

Neuromuscular dentistry is the area of dentistry that concerns itself with your jaw and the musculature that allows you to sleep, chew, smile, speak, sing, kiss or swallow. It addresses the misalignment of the jaw at the Temporomandibular joint and uses a range of treatments to manage it.

Often referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, TMD or TMJ, problems in this joint can manifest in a variety of ways.

What is TMJ?

Chewing is such an important aspect of your continued well being that our brain automatically corrects the lower jaw position to provide for efficient chewing. This is true even if the correction causes us pain. This process can contribute to TMJ and is what neuromuscular dentistry is designed to address.

TMJ has a number of symptoms which are also indicators of a range of issues. This can make correct diagnosis of TMJ problematic. That’s why you should see a TMJ specialist if you think you may be suffering from the condition. The Doctors at Aesthetic Family Dentistry are experts in the field of TMJ.

Symptoms of TMJ include; facial pain, migraines, jaw pain, back and neck pain, lockjaw, pain chewing, tension headaches, clenching of the jaw and insomnia. There are many more symptoms, but you get the idea. As you can see, all these symptoms could easily be signs of many other health problems.

How We Identify TMJ

We use technology and experience to correctly identify TMJ as the source of many issues. We use:

Sonography to measure vibration in the joint.

Electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activity around the jaw.

Kinesiography to analyze muscle and jaw movement.

TENS to relieve pain and help adjust muscle position.

We also use observation, experience and every tool we have to correctly identify TMJ. It’s a long, involved process but we’re very good at what we do.

Treatment of TMJ

Neuromuscular dentistry is used in the treatment of TMJ. Once correctly diagnosed, we use a variety of methods to treat the cause and symptoms of the condition.

Our first task is to reduce pain. We usually achieve this by adjusting your bite with a type of aligner called an orthotic that slightly adjusts the position of your jaw to move it into a more natural and comfortable position. We use Electromyography to identify the best position of the jaw and make a orthotic to fit your mouth perfectly.

Bite adjustment is often enough to address TMJ and using the orthotic can be treatment enough. It may be that you need only wear the orthotic for a few weeks to “train” your body to shift your bite. Sometimes, you may need to wear it long term or permanently. This depends entirely on your musculature and how serious the TMJ is.

Occasionally, further dental procedures such as veneers or orthodontic treatment may be necessary. As neuromuscular dentistry experts, we can identify and discuss these options with you if they become necessary.

Aesthetic Family Dentistry will also provide a range of holistic treatments to complement the medical ones. Those treatments can include the use of chiropractors, physical therapists, neuromuscular massage therapists and acupuncturists. These have proven themselves exceptionally effective at treating discomfort as a result of TMJ.

Aesthetic Family Dentistry has extensive experience in neuromuscular dentistry and the treatment of TMJ. Our success rate is high and our customer satisfaction is exceptional.

If you’re concerned about the condition and think you may have it, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry for a consultation.

Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ are problems that affect the jaw. These problems usually manifest as pain or limited movement but can become debilitating if left untreated.

If you have TMJ or any kind of pain in your jaw, you’re in good company. Around 1 in 10 people get it at some time of their lives, with 1 in 20 needing a dentist to help alleviate the problem.

As holistic dentists, Aesthetic Family Dentistry is well placed to help with TMJ. As the symptoms of TMJ can be very similar to other problems, it’s best to consult an expert before undergoing any self-medication or TMJ treatment. We can offer advice and design a treatment strategy that helps.

So What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

As mentioned, the symptoms of TMJ can be very similar to other conditions so it’s advisable to get a professional diagnosis as soon as possible.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in the jaw or jaw area
• Reduced movement in the jaw
• Clicks or noises as the jaw moves when talking or chewing
• Teeth grinding
• Headache
• Earache
• Sound sensitivity

Pain and TMJ

Unfortunately, the symptoms of Temporomandibular joint disorders can manifest as pain. This can be local to the jaw, the ear or appear as a headache. Sometimes the headaches can be severe enough to imitate a migraine. While over the counter pain medication can provide temporary relief from these symptoms, only effective treatment of the TMJ itself will cure them.

Clicking or Noises and TMJ

Where the jawbone (mandible) meets the skull, cartilage keeps the bones apart. There is also a cartilage disc inside the joint to add cushioning. When these aren’t working properly, the mandible can hit the skull and make the noises. While in itself this isn’t a problem, it isn’t something we would suggest leaving untreated.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Another symptom of TMJ is the grinding and/or clenching of teeth. As you probably also know, grinding can be a symptom of many other things including stress. Again, this isn’t harmful in the short term, but has longer-term ramifications as it can wear down teeth and put more pressure on the jaw.

All of these symptoms can be a sign of Temporomandibular joint disorders or TMJ. They can also be signifiers of other issues, which is why it’s important to seek expert advice. As holistic dentists, we can quickly identify the cause of your jaw problems and prescribe a range of remedies for it. Not all of them require dental procedures.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’ll put you right.