What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome?

Causes and Symptoms

The exact cause of temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) syndrome, or myofacial pain-dysfunction syndrome, is not known. Possible causes include arthritis, bad bite (malocclusion), grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism), muscle tension, and psychological stress. X-rays and laboratory tests carried out on people with this disorder usually reveal no abnormalities. Another potential cause of pain and stiffness in the temporomandibular joints at either side of the jaw is
rheumatoid arthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis, however, the symptoms are most severe the first thing in the morning, which is not typically the case with TMJ syndrome.

TMJ syndrome affects the temporomandibular joints, producing mild to severe spasms and pain in the jaw muscles that sometimes make it difficult to open the jaw fully. Other symptoms can include blurred vision, clicking or popping of the jaw, and pain that extends into the head, neck, ears, and even as far as the shoulders.

Treatment and Therapy

If spasmodic pain exists in the jaw muscles, a physician should be consulted. Treatment to provide relief varies according to the underlying cause but typically includes local heat therapy, injections or sprays of local anesthetics, and simple analgesics, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Prescribed jaw exercises and relaxation techniques are also often helpful. Some cases may require dental procedures to improve jaw alignment or retainers to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.

Perspective and Prospects

TMJ syndrome is fairly common; most people who have spasmodic pain in the jaw muscles have this condition. It is estimated that between 5 and 12 percent of the world's population suffers from some form of TMJ syndrome, ranging from mild to very severe. The majority of cases, however, go untreated.

Bibliography:

Bumann, Axel, and Ulrich Lotzmann. TMJ Disorders and Orofacial Pain: The Role of Dentistry in a Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Approach. Translated by Richard Jacobi. New York: Thieme, 2002.

Gremillion, Henry A., ed. Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2007.

Hollenstein, Jenna. "Temporomandibular Disorder." Health Library, September 30, 2012.

"Less Is Often Best in Treating TMJ Disorders." National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, March 25, 2011.

Mitchell, David A. An Introduction to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Okeson, Jeffrey P. Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier, 2012.

Sarnat, Bernard G., and Daniel M. Laskin, eds. The Temporomandibular Joint: A Biological Basis for Clinical Practice. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1992.