In simple
language, the temporomandibular joint is a complex bone
formation where the jaw joins the skull. It has been so
termed because the lower jaw that is known as the
mandible, joins with the temporal bone of the skull at
this point. However, dysfunction of this joint result in
headache, jaw clicking, earache and sometimes, loss of
hearing and these are all associated with the TMJ
disorder. Traumatic conditions or undue stress on this
joint usually causes the symptoms that often lead to
misdiagnosis. And on top of that, there can be unusual
symptoms of TMJ as well.
It is
therefore necessary to check the signs and symptoms
before arriving at a conclusion for TMJ. Incidentally,
the TMJ syndrome signs normally refer to those that are
noticeable by a medic whereas the TMJ syndrome symptoms
are those that become apparent to the person who is
suffering from them. However, to arrive at the correct
diagnosis, both are taken into account here.
As the TMJ
dysfunction signs and symptoms appear both in direct as
well as indirect form, these are separately discussed
here for the convenience of the
reader…
Direct
Signs and Symptoms of the TMJ
Disorder
- Clicking
or popping sound is heard when the patient is chewing
food or even engaged in conversation. It can be heard
by other person too. Although there is no pain
associated with this, it nevertheless tells clearly
that the TMJ is not functioning normally. In fact, a
damaged or displaced disc is often found responsible
for this episode.
- Jaw
locking is yet another sign of TMJ. It usually happens
when the person opens the mouth to take a bite at an
apple or prepares for a gurgle. Of course, the problem
can be digitally resolved by pressing both fingers
below the ear when the jaw snaps back into normal
position. It can be both painful as well as irritating
however.
- Change
in bite pattern is a TMJ syndrome sign. It becomes
immediately noticeable to the person as he/she feels
that there is a sudden problem in mastication – that
the synchronization between the upper jaw and the
lower jaw has gone haywire. This type of dental
occlusion occurs when the TMJ cushioning disc is
somehow displaced. Injury caused to the TMJ is often
responsible for this and boxers are mostly the
victims.
Indirect
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome
- Persistent
headache located near the temples or in the back of
the head without any apparent reason is a sign of TMJ
disorder.
- Tender
facial muscles turning to myofascial syndrome is an
indirect sign of TMJ dysfunction, more so when the
person wakes up in the morning with sore facial
muscles.
- Neck
pain due to muscle contraction originating from
incessant teeth clenching and TMJ
dysfunction.
- Hearing
difficulty can be an indirect sign of TMJ dysfunction
although this problem is also associated with Tinnitus
or other ear related disorders. The matter needs
thorough probe by efficient ENT doctors in
collaboration with doctors specialized in treating TMJ
problems.
- Sinus
stuffiness felt by the person may indicate TMJ. Medics
not much familiar to TMJ are likely to discount the
episode, commenting the case as mere imagination.
Nevertheless, the feeling of some kind of sinus
blockage is nothing unusual for those who are
suffering from TMJ.
- Dizziness
but not vertigo can be an indirect symptom of TMJ
since the middle ear which contains the balancing
mechanism and the temporomandibular joint are very
much near each other. Any inflammation affecting the
mid ear will have its effect on the
TMJ.
- Teeth
sensitivity is bound to happen when one is clenching
teeth at all times – more so with a displaced or
damaged disc creating problems in the TMJ.
Misdiagnosis again by a dentist unaware of the TMJ
dysfunction and its effect on the teeth is likely to
remove the innocent teeth for the fault of the
disc!
- Sensitivity
to light or photophobia may be experienced by someone
suffering from TMJ since a dislocated TM Joint may
induce pain behind the eyeball, causing light
sensitivity and other vision related
problems.
- Depression
haunts the TMJ sufferer for the simple reason that no
one seems to believe the story (of bad bites or
locking jaws). The friendly family doctor may
prescribe a placebo; the ENT would recommend a dentist
who will insist on removal of a tooth or two while the
surgeon may traumatize the lonely soul with the fear
of cancer if the temporomandibular joint is not
immediately opened up with the help of general
anesthesia and the natural disc replaced by a
synthetic piece.
TMJ
Treatment
The only
TMJ treatment that really works is holistic remedies and
not exercises to relieve TMJ, home TMJ remedies,
conventional medications and over the counter solutions.
Holistic remedies reach within the body and treat the
body as a whole. The approach here is just not to treat
the symptoms, but to identify all the root causes that
are causing the disorder. Once these root causes are
identified and treated, the TMJ symptoms go away on
their own, never to come back again. Holistic remedies
thus offer permanent and quick results.
