Jaw discomfort can range from a minor inconvenience to a serious health concern, especially when left untreated.
One of the most common issues is a temporomandibular joint disorder, often referred to as TMJ.
However, TMJ is far from the only jaw issue people face. From clicking and popping sounds to chronic pain and limited mobility, jaw conditions can impact everything from chewing and speaking to sleep and posture.
Let’s delve deeper into the world of jaw disorders and explore common symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options.
What is a TMJ disorder?
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder refers to problems affecting the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
This joint is responsible for allowing you to open, close, and move your jaw side to side. There are three types of TMJ disorder, and they include headaches due to TMJ, disorders of the jaw joints, and disorders of the chewing muscles.
TMJ Symptoms
Some of the most common TMJ symptoms include pain and discomfort, joint noises, functional issues, and other symptoms.
When it comes to TMJ, common symptoms include jaw pain, headaches (especially in the temples), earaches, neck and shoulder pain, and facial soreness. At the same time, you might notice clicking, popping, or grating sounds during jaw movement.
In some situations, people suffering from TMJ also have difficulty opening or closing the mouth, jaw locking, uneven bite, or limited range of motion.
Sensitivity in teeth (without dental disease), dizziness, tingling in fingers, or changes in how teeth fit together are also symptoms that happen when TMJ is present.
Other common jaw conditions
While TMJ gets a lot of attention, other jaw disorders can mimic or accompany TMJ symptoms. These jaw conditions include bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), malocclusion (misaligned bite), jaw misalignment or injury, infections or cysts in the jaw.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding or clenching, better known as bruxism, happens during sleep but can also occur while awake. It may be caused by stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, or sleep disorders.
Over time, it can lead to jaw pain, tooth damage, headaches, and TMJ disorders. Treatment may include mouthguards, stress management, or dental correction.
Malocclusion
The medical term for misalignment of teeth or the way the upper and lower teeth fit together is malocclusion. It can be caused by genetics, thumb sucking, or jaw injuries. Common types include overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. Malocclusion can lead to difficulty chewing, speech issues, jaw pain, and an increased risk of tooth decay. Treatment often involves braces, aligners, or other orthodontic procedures to correct alignment and improve oral function.
Jaw misalignment
Jaw misalignment happens when the upper and lower jaws are not properly aligned. This can affect bite function, facial appearance, and overall oral health. Common symptoms include jaw pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, and clicking sounds in the jaw. Causes range from genetics and injury to habits like teeth grinding. Treatment options include orthodontics, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery, depending on the severity and underlying cause.
Jaw cysts
Jaw cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop within the jawbone or soft tissues of the mouth. They are usually non-cancerous but can grow over time, causing swelling, discomfort, tooth displacement, or bone damage if left untreated. Common types include dentigerous cysts, radicular cysts, and keratocysts. Treatment usually involves surgical removal to prevent further complications.
How are jaw conditions diagnosed?
Diagnosing jaw conditions involves a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging techniques.
1. Clinical evaluation
If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, schedule a visit with your dentist. Your dentist or oral specialist will examine jaw movement, assess the joint for tenderness, evaluate bite alignment, and listen for joint noises.
2. Imaging techniques
After the clinical evaluation has been done, and if your dentist suspects some jaw condition, they will send you to undergo certain imaging techniques.
For instance, an OPG scan provides a panoramic view of the entire lower face, showing the upper and lower jaws, joints, and teeth. It’s especially useful for detecting tumors or cysts, TMJ issues, or fractures and bone abnormalities.
Similarly, MRI can be great for assessing soft tissues like the articular disc and ligaments. On the other hand, CT is best used for evaluating hard tissues such as bone integrity.
Treatment options
When it comes to jaw disorder treatments, we can classify them into two categories – non-surgical and advanced treatments.
Non-surgical treatments
As their name suggests, non-surgical treatments don’t involve surgeries but lifestyle modifications, medication, physical therapy, or intraoral appliances.
When it comes to lifestyle modifications, they imply avoiding habits like gum chewing or teeth grinding. As well as practicing stress management techniques to reduce jaw tension.
Medication can help relieve pain. You can get over-the-counter painkillers. Or your doctor can offer prescription options that include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, or antianxiety medications for severe cases.
Yet another thing that your doctor might suggest is physical therapy. Exercises such as goldfish exercises, chin tucks, and resisted jaw movements can improve mobility and reduce pain. Manual techniques like stretching and mobilization may also help.
The last non-surgical option includes nightguards or mouthguards, which can help manage teeth grinding but should not alter the bite permanently.
Advanced treatments
These treatments include some procedures and surgical interventions. If none of the non-surgical treatments work, and your jaw issues continue, you may need to undergo either surgery or certain dental corrections.
For instance, your orthodontist may suggest bite adjustments or an orthodontic treatment. In case you have a TMJ disorder, you might need to undergo either arthrocentesis or prolotherapy.
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure to flush out inflammatory substances from the joint. And prolotherapy is an injection therapy aimed at promoting joint repair in cases of dislocation or hypermobility.
In more severe cases, a dental professional will suggest surgery. Surgical interventions are usually reserved for severe cases where all other methods fail. The most typical options include arthroscopy or arthroplasty to repair or reconstruct the joint.
Conclusion
Jaw pain and disorders can have a significant impact on your daily life, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, most conditions are manageable. If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, speak to your dentist or a TMJ specialist.