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Temporomandibular Joint
Disorder
(TMJ)
TMJ disorders cause tenderness and
pain in the Temporomandibular joint.
According to the
American Dental Association, the TM joint is one of the most complex joints
in the body. Located on each side of the head, these joints work together
and can make many different movements, including a combination of rotating
and gliding action, used when chewing and speaking. Any problem that
prevents this system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working
together properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.
The muscles that
enable you to open and close your mouth stabilize this joint. Up to 15
percent of people in the United States experience pain associated with TMJ
disorders. Women are more likely than men to develop TMJ disorders.
Rarely if ever is surgery necessary.
Causes of TMJ disorders
- Trauma due to an automobile accident, blow or a
fall
- Whiplash Injury (1 in 3)
- Tooth clenching and/or grinding
- Unusual Stress
Common TMJ Symptoms
- Pain in the jaw or face
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Tenderness in the jaws
- Clicking or popping sound in the jaws
- Neck or Shoulder pain
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Ringing in the ears or earache
- Fullness in the sinuses
- Limited jaw movement and opening
- Pain in the eyes or back of the eyes
- Pain in the teeth
Our Treatment Protocols
- Manual therapy of face, neck and jaw muscles
- Cold Laser Treatment
- Hot packs
- Electrical Stimulation
- Exercises and stretching
- Topical pain reliever
- Dental Sleep Device (Splint)
The good news is
that when identified and treated early, the cure rate is about 90%. If left
undiagnosed and allowed to become chronic, the cure rate drops drastically,
with the patient eventually retaining some permanent symptoms. The bottom
line is that it starts as a muscular and soft-tissue condition and left
untreated can progress to a joint problem.
New treatment advocated by some local dentists
Some Dallas dentists
are using muscle injections of a common Toxin bacterium that has been widely
used for wrinkles to treat TMJ Disorder. While they use it in a small amount
and toxicity is considered low, it is still listed as the most acutely toxic
substances known to man. When injecting the Masseter muscle of the jaw, loss
of muscle function can result in a loss or reduction of power to chew solid
foods. The costs are expensive and they are not without risks and are only
temporary, lasting up to 4 months on average and then will have to be
repeated. The best advice is to try a treatment, which is
a less invasive, less risky, and a drug-free approach which could
permanently end your suffering.
Other Approaches
Like with the
mainstream treatment from Allopathic medicine, they try to cure conditions
with pharmaceuticals or prescription drugs, most commonly, Anti-inflammatory
drugs, and muscle relaxants. These drugs only mask the symptoms. We
urge you to read the common side-effects of these drugs and weigh the risks,
of which some have been life-threatening.
The Three Main Muscles of TMJ Disorder
- Temporalis
- Masseter
- Pterygoid
These muscles can
develop painful Trigger Points and Neuromuscular Therapy can help reduce the
spasms and restore shortened muscles back to their original position.
 
Temporalis Trigger Points
Masseter Trigger Points
Medial Pterygoid Trigger Points
Temporalis
The Temporalis is a
muscle of the TMJ and should be examined and treated for all people
complaining of headaches or TMJ problems.
Attachments:
Superiorly, to the
bone and fascia in the temporal fossa superior to the zygomatic arch and
inferiorly, to the coronoid process of the mandible and the anterior edge of
the ramus of the mandible.
Actions:
►Closes the jaw
►Moves the jaw posteriorly and
laterally
►Maintains the resting position of
the mandible
Pain Referral Areas:
To all or part of
the temporal region, eyebrow region, cheek, and incisor and molar teeth.
Masseter
The Masseter is the
most prominent chewing muscle. It is treated first with someone
complaining of TMJ problems as it is in an easily accessible position.
Attachments
Superiorly, to
zygomatic process of the maxilla and to the zygomatic arch and Inferiorly,
superficial layer of muscle to external surface of the mandible at its angle
and to the inferior half of its ramus; deep layer of muscle to superior half
of the ramus, possibly extending to the angle of the mandible.
Action
Raises mandible in conjunction with
Temporalis and Pterygoids
Pain Referral Area
►To upper and lower jaw, side of
face, ear, and superior to eyebrow.
►May also cause tinnitus
Pterygoids
Medial or Internal Pterygoid
Attachments
Superiorly, to the inner surface of
the lateral pterygoid plate and the lateral surface of the palatine bone,
and to the maxilla and Inferiorly to the lower border of the ramus of the
mandible, close to the angle of the mandible, and to the medial surface of
the ramus of the mandible near the angle.
Actions
►Participates in raising the
mandible
►Protracts the mandible
►Acting alternately, moves the
mandible from side to side in grinding motion
Pain Referral Area
Jaw in front of ear and side of jaw
(both outside and inside mouth)
Lateral or External Pterygoid
Attachments
Superior attachments:
Superiorly, to infratemporal crest
and inferior lateral surface of greater wind of sphenoid bone and
Inferiorly, to lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate
Inferior attachments:
Superiorly, backward, and somewhat
downward toward the TMJ, to the ligament of the joint capsule, the articular
disc, and the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid and inferiorly,
diagonally upward to condylar neck and ramus of the mandible just inferior
to the joint, to the neck of the mandible, articular disc, and capsule of
the Temporomandibular joint.
Actions
►The two divisions of this muscle
are involved in raising and lowering the mandible
►Moving the mandible posteriorly,
anteriorly, and laterally
Pain Referral Area
The TMJ region and face around
cheekbone
Other Muscles indirectly
affected by TMJ Disorder
All facial muscles
All anterior, lateral, and posterior
neck muscles should be palpated and treated if hypertonicity exists.
Treatment Costs
While most insurance plans do not
cover the cost of treatment, our treatment is quite affordable without
insurance coverage. Please call our clinic to discuss costs and
financing options. After comparing prices from other providers in the
Dallas area, you may find we are the lowest and most effective treatment
option available.
A personal note: I have
suffered from TMJ Disorder for the last four years. I researched
different treatments and found the leading TMJ specialist in the Dallas
area. After a $300 consultation and instructions on exercises, I left
without getting any relief. His only suggestion was to make an
expensive TMJ Splint and gave me sleeping pills. I never returned.
Our treatment protocol reduced my pain 90% after only one treatment. I
wear the appliance at night and expect to only need a few maintenance
sessions to keep me pain-free. - Zach
214.361.2772
Pain Control Institute, Inc.
Immediate
Appointments
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Consultation
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and Weekends
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