The pain of temporomandibular joint disorder also known as TMJ may be easily confused with ear pain since the two reside close to one another and involve the same nerves. Pain caused by TMJ is also often thought to be related to chronic headaches or migraines.

Doctors in AZ Explain What Causes TMJ?

Some causes of TMJ disorder include bite mis-alignment, dental work, trauma to the jaw, grinding and/or clenching teeth, auto-immune illnesses, arthritis, infections, hormones, or genetics. Some people who live with constant TMJ pain notice that their problems are often further aggravated by stress.

Common Symptoms of TMJ

As well as facial pain and compromised jaw movement, TMJ dysfunction can also cause headache; neck and shoulder pain; ear pain; ringing in the ears; jaw muscle stiffness; vision problems; changes in the way teeth fit together; popping or clicking sounds when the mouth is opened; hearing problems; and/or dizziness.

For some people, TMJ dysfunction is only temporary. Moist heat and ice applied to the problem area is often enough to treat mild or temporary cases of TMJ pain. Keeping jaw movements slight and eating soft food items can also help with mild or time-limited TMJ dysfunction.

Treatment of Severe TMJ Dysfunction

Patients with more severe and longer-term TMJ issues should be seen by a doctor, TMD specialist, or dentist specializing in these types of disorders. Only an experienced medical professional can properly evaluate the causes of TMJ disorders and design an effective treatment strategy. If TMJ pain is the result of malocclusion (bite mis-alignment), some recommended treatments might include dental work to grind down teeth, fix damaged teeth, or replace teeth with crowns and bridges. Orthodontic appliances and repositioning splints may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.

Surgery for Severe TMJ Disorder

While uncommon, surgical intervention, in some cases may be required to correct treat TMJ pain. This type of surgery involves repairing damage to the jaw joints themselves and the articular discs that cushion them. If less invasive treatments are not effective, a board-certified oral surgeon can be consulted regarding this type of procedure. It is possible that tissues from other areas of the patient's body can be used to replace or relocate the affected disc. Surgeons can also eliminate bony growths (spurs) and/or scar tissue that can cause or aggravate TMJ pain.