TEMPORO MANDIBULAR NEWS

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint is made up of the bone of the jaw (mandible) and the temporal bone (temples). The joint, along with the surrounding muscles, allow us to move the jaw from front to back, side to side and up and down. A soft disc like structure lies between the the condyles (rounded end of the mandible) and the temporal bones. It serves to absorb shock to the TMJ when chewing and talking.

There are three main categories to Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.

1. Muscle Disorders
         - Consist of pain in the muscles that control the jaw, neck and shoulder.
         - Most common cause of TMD
         - Can also be called Myofascial pain
         - Can be as a result of a tear to one of the muscles surrounding the joint

2. Joint Derangement Disorders
          - Dislocated jaw
         - Displaced disk
         - Injured bone (fractures etc.)

3. Degenerative Joint Disorders
          - Wear and tear
         - Arthritis
         - Destruction of cartilage

What Causes TMD?

In most cases, the cause is unknown. Making this condition hard to diagnose and treat. Dentists, oral surgeons, general practice physicians, neurologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, biofeedback therapists and even psychiatrists all have techniques to deal with this growing problem.

We do know that a traumatic event, such as a blow to the jaw, can disrupt the TMJ. Bones may receive fractures or the disc may become injured, interfering with the smooth motion of the jaw and potentially causing locking or popping of the joint. Arthritis may also develop due to an injury. 

Some suggest that a bad bite (malocclusion), chewing gum, or orthodontic treatment (braces etc.) can trigger TMD, but recent research disputes that view. An interesting fact is that popping and clicking do not necessarily mean that there is a problem with your jaw. If there are no other symptoms (pain, locking) the patient will usually not need treatment. Most people in this situation are likely to have a displaced disc.

Mental and physical stress may cause or aggravate TMD. We tend to clench our teeth when stressed, creating stress on the joint. Other things such as grinding your teeth while sleeping, and chewing on one side are being researched to find out if they are linked to this problem.

Normal	Slightly displaced	Severely displaced

Symptoms of TMD may include :

• limited movement
• locking jaw
• pain from the neck and shoulders
• clicking/popping/grating sounds with movement
• a sudden change in the way the teeth fit together
• headaches, dizzyness, earaches, hearing problems

Consecutive Patient Treatment Summary
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction TMD

References - Internal Clinical patient treatment summary, Meditech Laser Rehabilitation Clinic. Low Level Laser Therapy with Trigger Points Techniques: A study on 243 Patients. Zlatko Simunovic, MD, FMH Journal of Clin. Laser Medicine & Surgery, (1996) V 14, No.4, pp.163-167

TMD Facts

• According to statistics published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 1990,* 44% to 99% of TMJ problems are caused by trauma. By trauma, we mean an injury as obvious as a blow to the jaw with a fist or something as subtle as a whiplash injury with direct trauma to the head or jaw. (* JADA 1990;120:267)
  
• The condition was first identified in 1934 by an otolaryngologist, J.B. Costen.
  
• According to the American Dental Association, approximately 60 million people in the United States are affected by TMJ dysfunction. However, according to John D. Laughlin III, president of the Holistic Dental Association: Statistics claim that seventy to seventy eight percent of the general public [over 175 million] have some amount of TMJ Dysfunction. This condition can begin during the birth process.... One of the primary causes can be poor nutrition.
  
• Twice as many women than men are affected by this condition