604-939-1434
1021 Austin Ave., Coquitlam, BC V3K 3N9
Coquitlam dentist, Family dentist in Coquitlam, Vancouver, BC
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull that permits the jaw to move up and down and from left to right, allowing us to speak and chew. It is located directly in front of the ear on each side of the head where the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible) meet. The TMJ is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. The movable part of the temporomandibular joint is called the condyle. Its place in the temporal bone is called the articular fossa. Between the condyle and fossa, there is a meniscus, or cartilage disc, which acts as a cushion to absorb stress and allows a smooth movement when the mouth opens and closes.
Then what is TMD?
TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. The main muscles of mastication are the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. Some TMD cases are related to the dislocation or damage of the meniscus in the jaw joint, others are related to the muscles & ligaments providing movement of the temporomandibular joint. Most cases of TMJ disorders will resolve themselves within a short period of time, usually within a couple of months. Some cases, however, may be ongoing or reoccur.
Common Symptoms of TMD
What Causes TMD?
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons and are often the result of several issues with your jaw and bite. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM Joint. Or, you may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. According to Dr. Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMD, there are 5 Etiologic factors of TMD:
Frequent stress on the temporomandibular joint due to teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching (possibly as a result of chronic stress) can cause the ligaments in the area to stretch out and the jaw muscles to lengthen or shorten in response to the problem. In turn, this can lead to tenderness or pain throughout the jaw, face, head, neck, and shoulders. Additionally, it can also lead to excessive tooth wear, chronic headaches, difficulty in opening or closing one’s mouth.
Diagnosis
We diagnose TMJ disorders with the help of questionnaires, assessing the range of patient symptoms, and thorough physical examination, which includes:
In some cases, the diagnosis of TMD may require additional tests:
The proper diagnosis and identification of causes (etiology) is very important to determine the appropriate treatment for the symptoms of TMJ disorders.
TMD Treatment Options
The treatment plan may include medications, acupuncture, or Botox to relieve pain and relax the jaw, as well as TMJ exercises and patient education to avoid detrimental habits to the TMJ. Additionally, physiotherapy, orthodontic treatment, or wearing occlusal splints may be necessary based on etiology and symptoms.
Botox Treatment for TMD
Botox works by blocking nerve signals, essentially relaxing the muscles. Botox was once reserved for lessening the tell-tale signs of aging, such as annoying wrinkles and frown lines. However, more recently Botox injections are being used frequently in dental offices as a safe and effective treatment to relieve muscle pain and to reduce bruxism (grinding). This can help prevent teeth fractures, teeth wear, and damaged gums that may require costly treatments to repair.
For TMD patients, Botox relieves jaw tension by reducing the powerful muscle contractions that leads to the often unconscious movements of the jaw, which produces headaches and pain.
It is commonly injected into the temporalis or masseter muscles that can cause jaw pain and headaches. Scientific studies have shown that patients who received Botox injections experienced significant improvements in pain, function, ability to open their mouth, and levels of tenderness to palpation.
While reducing the ability of the chewing muscles to engage in problematic grinding, Botox still allows them to perform daily activities such as talking, chewing, and swallowing. This makes Botox treatment for jaw tension a convenient and effective option for many people.
Botox injections take 10 to 15 minutes to administer and remain effective for anywhere between 3-6month. Most patients who receive regular Botox treatment for one to two years will notice a decrease in treatment frequency (and prolonged effectiveness) due to the muscles becoming naturally weaker over time. Therefore, the need for Botox treatment can decrease from 3-4 times a year to a maintenance treatment of 1-2 times a year.
Coquitlam dentist, Family dentist in Coquitlam, Vancouver, BC
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull that permits the jaw to move up and down and from left to right, allowing us to speak and chew. It is located directly in front of the ear on each side of the head where the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible) meet. The TMJ is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. The movable part of the temporomandibular joint is called the condyle. Its place in the temporal bone is called the articular fossa. Between the condyle and fossa, there is a meniscus, or cartilage disc, which acts as a cushion to absorb stress and allows a smooth movement when the mouth opens and closes.
Then what is TMD?
TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. The main muscles of mastication are the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. Some TMD cases are related to the dislocation or damage of the meniscus in the jaw joint, others are related to the muscles & ligaments providing movement of the temporomandibular joint. Most cases of TMJ disorders will resolve themselves within a short period of time, usually within a couple of months. Some cases, however, may be ongoing or reoccur.
Common Symptoms of TMD
What Causes TMD?
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons and are often the result of several issues with your jaw and bite. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM Joint. Or, you may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. According to Dr. Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMD, there are 5 Etiologic factors of TMD:
Frequent stress on the temporomandibular joint due to teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching (possibly as a result of chronic stress) can cause the ligaments in the area to stretch out and the jaw muscles to lengthen or shorten in response to the problem. In turn, this can lead to tenderness or pain throughout the jaw, face, head, neck, and shoulders. Additionally, it can also lead to excessive tooth wear, chronic headaches, difficulty in opening or closing one’s mouth.
Diagnosis
We diagnose TMJ disorders with the help of questionnaires, assessing the range of patient symptoms, and thorough physical examination, which includes:
In some cases, the diagnosis of TMD may require additional tests:
The proper diagnosis and identification of causes (etiology) is very important to determine the appropriate treatment for the symptoms of TMJ disorders.
TMD Treatment Options
The treatment plan may include medications, acupuncture, or Botox to relieve pain and relax the jaw, as well as TMJ exercises and patient education to avoid detrimental habits to the TMJ. Additionally, physiotherapy, orthodontic treatment, or wearing occlusal splints may be necessary based on etiology and symptoms.
Botox Treatment for TMD
Botox works by blocking nerve signals, essentially relaxing the muscles. Botox was once reserved for lessening the tell-tale signs of aging, such as annoying wrinkles and frown lines. However, more recently Botox injections are being used frequently in dental offices as a safe and effective treatment to relieve muscle pain and to reduce bruxism (grinding). This can help prevent teeth fractures, teeth wear, and damaged gums that may require costly treatments to repair.
For TMD patients, Botox relieves jaw tension by reducing the powerful muscle contractions that leads to the often unconscious movements of the jaw, which produces headaches and pain.
It is commonly injected into the temporalis or masseter muscles that can cause jaw pain and headaches. Scientific studies have shown that patients who received Botox injections experienced significant improvements in pain, function, ability to open their mouth, and levels of tenderness to palpation.
While reducing the ability of the chewing muscles to engage in problematic grinding, Botox still allows them to perform daily activities such as talking, chewing, and swallowing. This makes Botox treatment for jaw tension a convenient and effective option for many people.
Botox injections take 10 to 15 minutes to administer and remain effective for anywhere between 3-6month. Most patients who receive regular Botox treatment for one to two years will notice a decrease in treatment frequency (and prolonged effectiveness) due to the muscles becoming naturally weaker over time. Therefore, the need for Botox treatment can decrease from 3-4 times a year to a maintenance treatment of 1-2 times a year.
