OUR SERVICES
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the mandible or jaw bone joining with the temporal bone of the skull. Its located just below and in front of the ear. You have a TMJ on each side of your face. Each joint has a cartilage disc inside keeping the temporal bones and the mandible bone apart to prevent the bone surfaces from wearing and damaging each other, as well as acting like a shock absorber for the joint. The jaw joint is surrounded by a capsule or envelope, which encloses it.
TMJ syndrome/TMD
What is TMJ syndrome/TMD (for temporomandibular joint dysfunction)?
TMD is a term used to describe the complex number of symptoms, which occur when the jaw joints and associated muscles are disrupted. Due to the varied nature of TMJ syndrome, it is sometimes difficult to discover the true source of their problem .
Symptoms
Common symptoms of TMJ Disorder
- Tension Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Jaw locking
- Jaw clicking, popping ,grating sounds
- Face pain
- Ear pain/stuffiness
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
- Shoulder pain
Do these sound familiar? You could be a candidate for treatment.
WHAT CAUSE
Causes TMJ Disorder
- Trauma to the TMJ or surrounding muscles and tissues from a sport injury, car accident or any other physical incident.
- Misaligned bite from uneven teeth, mis-positioning of jaw, incorrect bite or loss of bite height.
- Daytime clenching of the jaw and night time grinding of teeth while asleep .Night time
grinding in some cases can be associated with sleep apnea - Stresses on other areas of the skeletal system, e.g. neck and lower back .
Causes of headache related to TMD
- Research has shown that TMD may be responsible for up to 26% of all headaches.
- Muscle fatigue due to clenching / grinding in patients that have TMD make them much more susceptible to tension headaches and migraines.
- Postural changes due to TMJ inflammation, which fatigues the neck and shoulder muscles and causes referred pain to the head and face.
- Referred pain from the many nerves that are in close proximity to the TMJs.
- The close proximity of the TMJs to the head.
Treatment
TMJ treatment
The first step is a comprehensive and dynamic diagnosis to see if your symptoms are truly a jaw problem and to identify the areas of tenderness. The treatment is then directed to the areas that are tender.
Dr Vegunta uses a combination of orthotics, low level laser therapy, trigger point therapy, and treatment of breathing dysfunction as necessary. Our emphasis is non-surgical treatment, taking away stresses from the TMJ and allowing the body to heal itself.
Some studies have shown considerable improvement or complete elimination of headaches at the back of the head (occipital) and temple region when TMD is properly treated.
