Disorders of the TMJ affect countless individuals across the globe, yet it remained one of the lesser-known and often poorly understood set of human afflictions until the early 2000s. This led to patients aimlessly seeking help from ENT doctors and Neurophysicians to Physiotherapists for much of the late 1900s until it became established scientifically that over 90% of the causes lay in the dental and orofacial structures.

With potential implications on general health and well-being, such as neck pain, upper back pain, sleep disorders, headaches and even ear ache, it is critical to understand the signs & symptoms TMJDs present with, their common causes, and most importantly how their progress can be halted and reversed even in most cases.

The keys to successful management of TMJDs are early and accurate diagnosis, and effective patient education for successful non-surgical treatment.

As a pioneering dental clinic in Sharjah, Rekha Dental Center has the required infrastructure for diagnosis and trained Specialists able to identify and treat TMJDs providing relief from the pain and misery that these maladies are capable of causing, affecting daily life.

What is the TMJ?

The Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ as it is commonly known, is one of the most complex joints in the body in terms of both, its intricate anatomical relationship (connects the skull to the jaws) and its varied functions (supports speech, swallowing, chewing and facial form).

The TMJs are unique in many ways. The only set of joints that are present at the two ends of a single bone (the Mandible, or the Lower jaw bone), these joints are capable of movement in three distinct axes or planes. These movements namely, rotation, translation and gliding are important to understand as they are affected by several factors within the mouth.

The muscles that hold the lower jaw in place below the skull and help in generating chewing forces as well as support the tongue are chiefly responsible for the health and orientation of the TMJs on either side of the face.

Additionally, accessory muscles of the upper back and neck are involved in maintaining the position and balance of these joints. The ear being located intimately with the joints on either side makes it one of the regions of interest in understanding these disorders

How are TMJ disorders related to teeth?

The arrangement of teeth in the mouth and their relationship with their adjacent and opposing teeth are now well understood to be the main initiators of TMJDs.

All forces of chewing are eventually carried out of the jaws along pathways that end in the TMJs. Any imbalance in the transfer of these forces can lead to changes within the joint thereby leading to consequences.

Clenching of the teeth is one of the most common reflexes when people undergo stressful situations in daily life. Over a period of time this can become a habit that leads to degeneration of the disc within.

Common Signs & Symptoms of TMJ disorders

The symptoms of TMJ disorders may not be limited to the mouth and hence could confuse patients and at times even non-dentists as they could manifest in areas outside and beyond the oral cavity.

 These include:

– Pain or tenderness in the jaw and side of the face

– Ear-ache & ringing sound in the ears, 

– Difficulty or discomfort in the jaws while chewing

– Locking of the joint with consequent inability to open the mouth

– Clicking or other unusual sounds during mouth-opening and closing

– Headache, dizziness, loss of balance during walking

These symptoms may occur on one or both sides of your face and could be temporary or last for several years.

Causes of TMJ disorders

Some of the most common causes are –

– Malpositioned teeth that require positional correction (Orthodontics) in the jaws

– Prolonged absence of teeth that have not been replaced after their loss (especially the premolars and molars)

– Impacted upper and lower wisdom teeth by virtue of their malposition within the jaws

– Poorly carried out crowns and bridge restorations made as replacements for missing teeth

– Teeth-clenching and night-grinding habit (Bruxism) that is perpetuated by stress.

Diagnosis & Management of TMJDs

Accurate diagnosis requires a detailed history, followed by comprehensive evaluation of the teeth, jaw bones and the joints.

At Rekha Dental Center, our trained TMJ specialists use simulated patient-models, jaw-movement videos, X-rays, scans and other modalities to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis that allows for a stepwise treatment plan to be put in place that the patient can understand and relate to.  

Fundamentally, every patient’s condition is unique, and requires the treatment sequence be tailored to meet individual needs. Here’s what you can expect as part of our TMJD treatment process:

1. Non-drug Therapies: This involves using oral splints or mouth guards, physical therapy (ultrasound, moist heat, ice, and exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles), and counseling to understand and avoid behaviors that aggravate TMJ pain.
2. Medications: In conjunction, medication such as anti-inflammatory analgesics, or muscle relaxants as well as anti-anxiety agents are often used to alleviate the symptoms that maybe present.
3. Surgical Procedures: For severe cases of TMJD where conservative modalities do not provide adequate relief, surgical intervention procedures may be considered as necessary. These may include arthrocentesis, intra-articular injections, TMJ arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, or open-joint surgery. 

Patients are explained the potential benefits and risks of the various treatment options by our TMJ specialists before they are offered the finalized treatment plan.

Prevention and Cure: A Realistic Team Approach

A drastic change seen in the management of TMJDs over the past decade has been largely due to the fact that greater clarity in understanding their causation has allowed patient education to be more effective at dental clinics.

Contemporary scientific knowledge and awareness, allows dentists to recognise dental causes that predispose to the development and progression of TMJDs early on and thereby help prevent them.

Once the likely causes have been identified, it makes the management of TMJDs more definitive unlike empirical therapies of the past, ensuring greater success in their management and a better quality of life for patients.

An interdisciplinary approach that combines different dental Specialties is what makes the management of TMJDs unique at Rekha Dental Center.

Using contemporary infrastructure and technology, a combination of interventional and non-invasive treatment modalities that are appropriate for the patient’s condition is offered at our center.

These include the use of panoramic radiographs and cone-beam CT scans for diagnosis, intra-oral scans to create digital models of the patient’s teeth and jaws to simulate their actual positions in the patient’s mouth, laser therapy to enhance the healing process of degenerative disease within the joint, and arthrocentesis (lavage via injections into the joint space) to name a few.

TMJD and Lifestyle Changes: A Synergistic Approach 

As an important adjunct to clinical therapy, lifestyle modifications have proven beneficial in managing TMJD symptoms.

Simple measures like adopting a soft food diet for some time, avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide-opening while yawning), practicing good posture, training the jaw and neck muscles using specific jaw-stretching exercises, use of hot-water fomentation over the joints, can help achieve quicker relief.

Learning stress management techniques like deep breathing, biofeedback, or yoga can also help in reducing the frequency of teeth grinding or jaw clenching, common stress responses that exacerbate TMJ pain.

Long-term Management of TMJD

 While TMJ treatments often yield significant improvement, it’s essential to note that managing TMJDs may require long-term care. Routine follow-ups with our TMJ specialists at Rekha Dental Center are key to monitoring your condition and adjusting treatment as necessary. We believe in fostering a partnership with our patients, where we guide you through your treatment journey, providing support and care at every step.

TMJDs can impact various aspects of your life, from eating and speaking to overall quality of life. But with the right treatment plan, expert care, and positive lifestyle changes, it is possible to live without the constant burden of TMJ pain.

Whether you have been recently diagnosed with TMJD, looking for effective TMJ pain relief, or seeking a second opinion, we invite you to experience the quality care at Rekha Dental Center. Our TMJ specialists are ready to help you navigate your journey towards better oral health and overall well-being. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.

Remember, it’s not just about alleviating the pain; it’s about restoring balance and harmony to your life. Let us be your partner in this journey towards comprehensive health and wellness.