You might all know this information but if not maybe it will be useful to you, or at least you might find some new information, or know of something I did not mention or that I do not know, which is more than likely.

I am not claiming to be an expert on TMJ disorders however I am a certified dental assistant as well as a certified dental lab. Tech.

I worked for a prostodontist for several years, as well as filled in for several assistants as a temp., but I no longer work in the dental field. It was hard work, little pay, and now hard on my hands and neck.

TMJ, are the initials for Temporal Mandibular Joint for those of you that do not know.

The dentist I worked for studied TMJ, and treated many patients with the disorder. TMJ, are the initials for Temporal Mandibular Joint.

TMJ disorders which is a disorder of the TM joint, can stem from a person clenching their teeth frequently, bruxism, (grinding your teeth) usually at night unaware at times, arthritis which damages the cartilage, dislocated jaw, possibly due to injury, or misaligned bite, which can come about from several things, such as high fillings not done properly, poor fitting crowns or caps, poor fitting dentures, or having missing teeth not replaced.

It is important to have any missing teeth replaced, due to the opposing teeth will naturally move to fill in the open space, that can cause a misaligned bite, leading to TMJ disorder.

Signs of TMJ disorders are but not limited to, a clicking or popping in the jaw when chewing or opening and closing your mouth, pain in TMJ joint, worn down teeth, ear pain, a tired jaw upon awakening, ear pain, and tinnitus.

X-rays do not always show TMJ disorders, but can show arthritis or an injury.

An MRI, of the TMJ joint can also be effective in diagnosing a diseased or injured joint.

Seeing a dentist that specializes in TMJ is first choice, but if insurance is a factor, a family dentist can also treat TMJ disorders.

Some treatment plans for TMJ disorders include splints to cover the teeth, different types are available, also night guards which can help prevent a person from grinding their teeth at night. They take a while to get used to wearing for some.

Also, physical therapy for the jaw to learn stretching technics, massage, heat and cold on the joint joint, possibly medication to reduce stress, which might reduce clenching, or grinding teeth, anti inflammatory medication if arthritis is present, steroid treatments, and surgery if there was an injury.

If you do clench during the day, making note to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth when you have the urge to clench can stop you from clenching, since it is hard to clench and do this. Try it and see.

There is still controversy of course in the connection between TMJ, disorders and tinnitus.

In research I read a few theories such as the constant dysfunction of the TMJ joint affects several muscles, including the very small muscles in the ear, the tensor tympani, and levi palatini, which attach to the eustachian tube.

When clenching a person might change the blood flow to the ears.

If that is fact, then I suppose if a person has tinnitus, a TMJ disorder could magnify the ringing, or in some cases reduce the tinnitus, when pressing on the joint, or chewing, but the TMJ disorder itself might not actually be the cause of the tinnitus.

However, the change in blood flow through the muscles from a person constantly grinding, or change in muscle movement might change the volume or intensity of the tinnitus..... my opinion.

I did not read any statements saying that the ear hair cells could be damaged by TMJ dysfunction, but if that could happen, then the TMJ would be a reasonable cause of the tinnitus I suppose.

I also read one theory is that possibly if a person grinds or clenches their teeth ongoing, that somatosensory neurons stir excessive neuron activity in the cochlear nucleus and can cause tinnitus. I am not sure just what that means.

And further more, just like tinnitus, grinding your teeth, or the need to clench has theories that it is brain related.

Just as tinnitus does not always come from the ear, the need to clench your teeth is not always due to stress, or something wrong with your jaw, the TMJ joint or teeth.

However, one theory is that a chemical imbalance in the brain can give cause a person the impulse to clench or grind their teeth.

Just what the chemical imbalance is I do not know. Possibly vitamin deficiencies could cause the impulse to grind or clench too, just my thoughts.

But with that said, grinding your teeth, and clenching are not actually a TMJ disorder, but can cause TMJ dysfunction.

What are your opinions on the topic, or knowledge on the connection between TMJ, and tinnitus.

Pattylyn