Orofacial Pain & TMJ Disorders

The field of dentistry has been evolving rapidly. This would include the dental practitioner in the management and treatment of the head and neck pain. Pain and dysfunction arise from mild, moderate or severe mal-alignment of the teeth and or jaws. This mal-alignment causes strain and stress of the attached mandibular muscles, ligaments, tendons and joint resulting in pain and disorder in these structures.

One of the commonly known pain problems includes the disorder known as TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). TMJ is also called the jaw joint because it's used in all jaw movements. The TMJ is formed by two bones, one at the base of the skull (the temporal bone) and the other is the lower jaw (also called the mandibular process). Attached by ligaments in between these two bones, is a disc that can be displaced, perforated or damaged causing variety of discomfort. Several muscles attach the mandible and temporal bones to the skull; these can become stressed and painful during TMJ.

 What are the symptoms?

The most common manifestation of TMD is pain in the jaw joint and associated anatomical structures. However because the TMJ is so close to the ear, it is often described as an earache. Patients usually complain of facial pain and headaches. The pain is generally dull and unilateral. This pain is usually centered in the temple, above and behind the eye, in and around the ear, or in the back of the head. The pain may be associated with instability of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or clicking with movement of the jaw. Other less obvious symptoms include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, decreased hearing, itching, or experiencing sinus symptoms.

Proper diagnosis using methods such as radiographs, MRI, and other computerized techniques, is essential for proper treatment planning. Management of Temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain is effectively accomplished using oral appliances to balance the jaw position and physical medicine (therapy) to relax the associated muscles. Other techniques are available for more serious conditions.