The 'temporomandibular joint' (TMJ) or commonly known as the ''jaw joint'', is where the lower jaw connects to the base of the skull. The position of this joint is just in front of your ears and it can be felt by opening and closing your jaw while gently pressing this position.

The number of patients presenting to their dentist with TMD are becoming more and more common. Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

sore jaws, toothaches, sinus problems, neck and back pain, ear aches / ringing ears, headaches / migraines, the teeth of both jaws do not feel like they are biting properly, pain when chewing or yawning, limited opening of the jaws, pain on opening or closing of the jaw, facial tension, clicking jaw (disc rubs on the bone), locked jaw.

The causes of TMD are also numerous with one or more of the following causes being responsible:

1. Ear infections

2. Injuries to the jaw joint

3. Autoimmune disorders such as osteo or rheumatoid arthritis

4. Dental fillings not properly adjusted

5. Grinding and or clenching of the teeth

6. Stress: emotional and/or physical

7. Bad occlusion

8. Anatomical deformities

Diagnosis of TMD can be difficult due to its numerous causes and symptoms. A systematic approach must be performed by your FirstBite dentist to rule out all possible causes before treatment can be commenced. Your dentist will normally co-ordinate with other healthcare professionals to prepare a treatment plan so that all aspects of the problem, being physical and/or emotional are dealt with.

Patients will be referred to a general medical practioner to eradicate it being a medical problem if it does not appear to be a dental problem.

If symptoms are acute eg. very painful, can't open jaws, these will be dealt with immediately using medication, occlusal splint (see below), and/or physiotherapy. After dealing with the acute symptoms the patient is then treated as a chronic (long term non- severe) sufferers.
The following steps are usually followed, dealing with the simplest issues first and eradicating them as possible causes of the problem.

1. All dental infections (abscess, caries, gums etc.) must be dealt with.

2. Occlusal splint therapy

An occlusal splint is a hard piece of plastic that is made from a mould of your teeth. It is worn mainly at night times but acute sufferers may have to wear it 24 hours a day until symptoms are relieved. The purpose of the splint is to keep your teeth apart. In this position the facial muscles are most relaxed and less tension can be generated than when the teeth are together. The jaw joint is also free to move instead of being locked in place with constant muscle tension when the teeth are together.

3. Soft diet

Acute sufferers are recommended to eat with their splint in place until symptoms are relieved. Non acute sufferers are advised of the problems associated with chewing gum, hard diets (eg. nuts, bones) and it is recommended that hard foods are temporarily removed from the diet.

4. Heat packs applied to the area can sometimes give relief to symptoms.

5. Physiotherapy

Your FirstBite dentist can give you exercises to help relax your jaw muscles.

6. Myotherapy

Somebody who is trained in massaging the area can offer great muscular relief. Some medical specialists believe that muscular tension in other areas of your body (eg. back) can be the cause of your TMJ problem, so a complete body assessment is highly recommended.

7. Stress Management

There are many possibilities, in our modern medical world to help relieve stress, such as; yoga, naturopathic remedies, counselling etc. Sometimes the patient must try several options until they find one that suits them.

8. Surgery

This is normally the last option and is only recommended once all other possibilities have been used up.

A complete treatment plan is the only way to deal with TMD.