Symptoms:
TMJ dysfunction
Around one in 10 people in the UK have a problem with their jaw joint. Doctors call this group of conditions jaw joint dysfunction or temporomandibular disorder (TMJ). These conditions can cause pain and affect how well your jaw joint works.
Women tend to develop jaw conditions more often than men. You can get these problems with your jaw at any age, but most people have them when they’re between 20 and 40.
About TMJ dysfunction
The jaw joint allows your jaw bone to move from side to side, backwards and forwards, and to open and close your mouth. It’s one of the most complicated joints in your body and has several muscles and ligaments allowing different movements. Because it’s so complicated, there are several different problems you may have with your jaw joint.
Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction
Your symptoms may include:
- Pain around your jaw, cheek, ear, neck, shoulders or back
- Restricted movement, making it difficult to chew – you might feel as if you have a locked jaw, or you may not be able to fully close your mouth
- Popping, grating or clicking sounds, when you move your jaw
- Headaches
- Your bite (when you put your teeth together) not feeling right
Not everyone has pain when they have jaw joint problems. Some people just have clicking and difficulty opening their mouth. If you do have pain, you may find that it gets worse as the day goes on. Symptoms may also get worse when you chew, or if you’re feeling stressed.
You may be able to manage these symptoms at home and they often get better on their own within a few months. But if you’re worried about the pain or other symptoms, go and see your dentist to find out whether treatment could help.
Diagnosis of jaw joint problems
If you have discomfort or problems with your jaw, see your dentist. They will ask about your symptoms, examine you and ask about your medical history. They will then examine your head, neck, face and jaw to see if you have any tenderness.
They may ask you to move your jaw in all directions too. This can help them to see how well you can move your jaw, and whether it’s painful or makes clicking noises when you move it. They will also want to look inside your mouth to see if you have any problems with your teeth or gums.
Your dentist will also ask you whether anything triggers your jaw problems, such as chewing or yawning. They will also check whether you grind your teeth or bite your nails, as both of these can cause jaw problems.
Because the jaw joint is so complicated, there are lots of possible causes of jaw problems. Therefore, it can be difficult to work out what’s causing your symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made after examining you.
Your dentist might refer you to see a specialist doctor, such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
You may have one or more of the following tests:
- An X-ray
- A computed tomography (CT) scan
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- An ultrasound scan
Self-help
Jaw joint problems will often get better within three to six months and don’t usually cause any complications. Resting your jaw joint may help to relieve your symptoms. Here are some tips:
- Eat soft foods so you don’t have to chew food for too long
- Don’t yawn widely, chew gum, chew pens or pencils, or bite your nails
- Try to stop any habits such as clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth
- Try to reduce stress if you can, as this can make jaw clenching or teeth grinding worse. You might find relaxation techniques helpful
- Massage the muscles around your jaw
- Put a heat pad or a hot water bottle (filled with warm, not boiling, water) wrapped in a cloth or towel on your jaw
Treatment of jaw joint problems
If you need treatment, the type of treatment you have will depend on the exact cause of your jaw joint problem.
You may find that over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, help to ease your pain.
If your dentist thinks you’re clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth when you’re asleep, they may suggest you wear a bite guard (bite splint). This is a plastic cover that fits over your upper or lower teeth and stops them coming into contact with each other.
Most jaw joint problems don’t last long and won’t get worse. But if your condition doesn’t start to improve within three months, your dentist may refer you to see a specialist. This could be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Surgical treatment
Your specialist may suggest surgery if you have severe pain and your jaw joint is causing you significant problems. Only a small number of people have surgery. Usually, you’ll only be offered this if you’ve tried other treatments and they haven’t worked.
In some cases, your surgeon may try and manipulate your jaw joint while you’re under general anaesthetic to see if they can correct the problem. Or they may suggest an injection to relax the muscles that control your jaw.
Operations to treat jaw joint problems can involve opening your jaw joint and operating on the bones, cartilages and ligaments. Another option is to replace your jaw joint with an artificial (prosthetic) one.
It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your surgeon to see if it’s the right option for you.
Causes of jaw joint problems
The exact cause of jaw joint problems isn’t always fully understood and there are a number of possible causes. Many people have more than one cause at the same time.
They may be triggered if you injure your jaw during more complex dental treatment (such as having your wisdom teeth removed), knock your chin or overstretch when yawning. Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth (bruxism) may also cause jaw joint problems.
Disc displacement means that the articular disc is in the wrong position. This is a thin disc inside your jaw joint. This can happen if you dislocate or injure your jaw. You might hear noises when you move your jaw, such as clicking, grating or popping.
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