Answer  - TMJ problems have their primary base in the (TMJ) joint mechanism. The actual malfunction may involve the ligaments, muscles or the bone itself. symptoms are popping, clicking or cracking near. the ear, soreness of the jaw, severe pain in the joint area, dizziness, headaches, backaches, eye pain and chronic fatigue - to name a few.

Question - WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM?

Answer - The causes may be external, internal or both

External causes might be a blow to the face or jaw - or some sort of injury; for example, whiplash is a common cause of externally produced trauma to the TMJ.

The most common internally produced trauma arises from occlusal disbarmonies (traumatic occlusion), commonly called "poor bite" (see reverse side of this form). Missing teeth which have not been replaced can also produce disbatmonies.

Forms of arthritis also may be internal causative factors.

Further, poorly fitting dentures and partial dentures or fixed bridges which have outlived their usefulness can create TMJ problems.

Question - WHAT ARE THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTS?

Answer  - if you place your fingertips against your face in front of the ears and move your jaw up and down, you can feel the movement of the temporomandibular joints. These are similar to hinges and connect the lower jaw to your skull. if the jaw is to perform properly, the upper and lower teeth must mesh properly when you close on the back teeth in a fixed or "normal" bite.

QUESTION - I READ THAT TMJ DISORDERS HAVE BEEN CALLED THE GREAT IMPOSTOR SYNDROME. PLEASE EXPLAIN.

Answer - Consider the incredible amount of use the jaw gets everyday in talking, eating and even swallowing. it is not surprising that the pivotal point (the Temporomandibular joint) should often be subject to problems.

But the Great Impostor problem is that the pain itself may surface almost anywhere -head, neck, shoulders, back masquerading as acute or chronic diseases. This includes severe headaches, backaches, ringing in the ears or vertigo problems, etc. Because of its genius for disguise, the TMJ problem has been called the Great Impostor.

Part of our function in dentistry is to develop techniques to help us catch the Great Impostor at his game.

HOW ARE TMJ PROBLEMS TREATED?

If external injury can be ruled out - the problems then may very possibly stem from traumatic occlusion. This bad bite situation can result in stress induced muscle spasms in the Temporomandibular joint area. These muscles are used whenever you chew, talk, swallow or otherwise move your jaw.

In more difficult cases, muscle relaxants may be used to ease the tension on the involved muscles.

Once the patient is comfortable enough for further treatment, we usually will make study casts to find out if and bow far the teeth are out of alignment.

We then may construct an appliance made of plastic for the patient to wear. It is called an Auto. Repositioner or TAIJ Splint. It is inconspicuous and easily tolerated.

The appliance frees the jaw motion from abnormal guidance by malpositioned cusps of the teeth. The affected joints can then return to their normal position - and begin the healing process.