TMJ Support Group
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.
I went to a new TMJD dentist today. She was pointing toward possibly using adult orthodontia to realign the jaw. Wondered if anyone on the board had seen any success with braces.
A good quote for everyone in the group to remember is:
"THE TEETH DOMINATE, THE JOINTS AND MUSCLES ACCOMODATE".
What that means is that the teeth create your bite and your bite determines where the lower jaw is positioned below the base of your skull. Where the lower jaw is positioned below the base of your skull will affect the anatomy, physiology and function of both the jaw joints and the muscles that attach to the lower jaw.
Problems inside the jaw joint can cause:
(1) Poping and clicking inside the jaw joint
(2) Jaw locking open and jaw locking closed
(3) Limitations in the range of motion of the lower jaw
(4) Otic (ear) problems like ringing in the ears, full-stuffy-itchy ears, vertigo/balance problems
(5) Pain in the ear and area just in front of the ear
(6) etc.
Problems with the muscles can include:
(1) Headaches and migraines
(2) Neck, shoulder, back, hip, pelvic, knee, ankle and foot pain
(3) Trigeminal Neuralgia
(4) Chronic Fatigue
(5) Fibromyalgia
(6) etc.
So, all the symptoms above and more can be caused because your teeth hold your lower jaw in a position that torques and stresses your jaw joints and the muscles of your head and neck.
If you can move the teeth through orthodontics, so that they hold the lower jaw in a place that relaxes the muscles that attach to the lower jaw AND allow the ball and socket TM joint to be in a decompressed physiologically neutral position, it can help with your TMJ symptoms.
THE KEY POINT WOULD BE TO FIND A DENTIST-ORTHODONTIST WHO CAN IDENTIFY THE CORRECT PLACE FOR THE LOWER JAW TO BE FIRST.
THIS MUST BE A NEUROMUSCULARLY NEUTRAL AND RELAXED POSITION. ONCE THAT PLACE IS DETERMINED, THEN THE TEETH CAN BE MOVED TO HOLD YOUR JAW IN THE NEUROMUSCULAR POSITION FOR RESOLUTION OF YOUR SYMPTOMS.
It is sad to say, but most dentists do not know how to identify or find this Neuromuscular position.
In my practice, the average number of doctors and dentists a patient has seen before they consult with me is 8. This is because there are a lot of doctors out there who do not use finding a neutral place for the lower jaw as the basis for their therapy.
Make sure anyone who you allow to move your teeth with orthodontics FIRST finds the place to move your teeth to, then allows your muscles and jaw joints to adapt to that place for 2-3 months, then moves your teeth with braces to this predetermined place.
If they do NOT find this place first and test that if the teeth were moved to hold your lower jaw in this place it would decrease your symptoms, then I wouldn't utilze their services.
Good Luck,
Doctor T
I went to see a neuromuscular dentist back last fall. Pretty costly at $5k just for the first round. And I find the lack of consensus on treating TMJ to be troubling. But I will think about it more.
What has helped is realizing that the jaw is connected to the neck which is connected to the shoulders which is connected to the spine, pelvis, legs, etc...so movement work such as Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Somatics, etc. can be helpful.
For short-term pain relief and loosening, John Barnes myofascial release has been invaluable.
And, no gum chewing!