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Headache and TMJ Disorders

What is TMJ?

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You may clench or grind your teeth which tightens your jaw muscles and stresses your TM joints. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear muscles and ligaments. As a result, the disc, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or grating noises when you open your mouth and limited range of motion.

Do you have TMJ disorder?

  • Are you aware of grinding or clenching of your teeth?
  • Do you wake up with sore muscles around your jaws?
  • Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
  • Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
  • Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
  • Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat or yawn?
  • Have you ever injured your neck, head or jaws?
  • Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
  • Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
  • Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
  • Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
  • Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered “yes” to the questions above, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.

Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, the proper course of treatment can be established on an individual basis. There are various treatment options that Dr. Spencer and Dr. Rabheru can suggest to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. No single treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. There are many cases where complete resolution of the disorder is not possible. The main goal of treatment then aims to manage the symptoms associated with the disorder.