TMJ SYMPTOMS

Patients typically present with different types of TMD. Some patients have TM joint pain and dysfunction only. Others have muscle pain only. However, most patients present with any combination of joint and muscle pain and dysfunction. Thus, each patient has his or her own unique kind of TMD.

1. From the jaw muscles:

• Jaw stiffness and pain:
  
  Jaw stiffness and pain come from tight jaw muscles, usually the big jaw muscle in the cheek, called the masseter muscle.
  
  
• Toothaches:
  
  Toothaches coming due to TMD causes are from myofascial trigger points in the jaw muscle. These trigger points are in either the masseter, temporalis, or digastic muscles and pain may be felt in any tooth. It should be noted that when trigger points cause toothaches, there is nothing wrong with the tooth.
  
  Frequently, unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions are performed in an attempt to help a suffering person with TMD-related toothaches.. What is worse is that after these invasive and non-reversible procedures, patients still have their pain, only now it has increased.
  
  
• Headaches and pain behind the eyes:
  
  Headache is one of the most common symptoms of a TMD. Usually the TMD headache is located in the temples, across the temples and behind the eyes. These headaches are frequently so severe that they may be confused for migraine headaches or abnormalities in the brain.
  
  Other headaches related to TMD arihip of the TM joints to the ears, an injury that causes joint pain often feels like an earache. Also jaw se from muscles in the neck. These headaches are felt in the back and top of the head and may also be referred to the front of the head and face.
  
  
• Earache, stuffy ears, ringing in the ears:
  
  Due to the close anatomical relationsmuscles may cause what feels like ear pain, fullness or stuffiness, and even a loss of hearing. That's why so many TMD sufferers first see their family doctor and an ear specialist before even considering seeing a dentist for a possible TMD problem
  
  
• Neck stiffness and pain:
  
  Neck stiffness and pain arises from neck muscles and entrapmenof nerves in the neck both of which cause neck pain that may also be referred to the face.

2. From the TM joint:

• Localized pain over the joint and in the ear.



• Clicking, popping, grating sounds:
  
  The most common symptom of TMD is jaw joint clicking, popping and grating sounds. These sounds may be so loud that may be heard by others while you chew. There may or may not be pain in the joint itself with the sound of a click or pop.
  
  Pain in the TM joint is due to inflammation in the joint and is called synovitis.
  
  
• Locking open or closed:
  
  Locking of the TM joint in a closed position may be noticed simply by catching of the lower jaw as it opens. Other times the jaw is struck in a closed position. Sometimes, the person with a locked joint must move the jaw to one side or another in order to open wide and other times the jaw must be manipulated open by the doctor.

  Locking of the TMJ in an open position may occur when the mouth opens wide. The mouth gets "stuck" in an open position and there may or may not be pain. Generally when this happens, patients tend to become alarmed, more so that when the jaw locks closed, but it is reversible.
  
  

• Change in bite:
  
  A dislocated TMJ may also be noticed by a change in the dental occlusion, or bite. If the TMJ disc goes out of place, the bones and disc do not fit together properly and therefore, the bite of the teeth changes.

3. Mood changes:

• Anxiety.
  
  
• Depression:
  
  Depression is common in patients with TMD. This may be due to the fact that no one really believes there is a problem causing such pain and suffering. Also, scientific evidence shows that chronic pain patients have changes in chemicals in the brain as a result of the pain. These chemicals produce depression. Along with depression comes an inability to get a good night's sleep.

Sufferers usually wake feeling like they never slept or at least, did not sleep well. This lack of sleep not only makes their pain seem worse, but also adds fuel to the fire of depression.

Overview of TMJ / TMD | Causes of TMJ / TMD | Symptoms of TMJ / TMD
Examination and diagnosis of TMJ / TMD | Treatments for TMJ / TMD | Insurance considerations

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