What is TMJ?
If you look up the definition of TMJ, there are a large range of definitions, not just one. This is rightly so as TMJ a broadly used term that includes symptoms from headaches, facial pain, jaw pain, and even clicking and popping. The implications of TMJ are wide ranging and can even have TMJ related sleep apnea and snoring. Not all cases are or should be treated the same and a correct diagnosis Is necessary before treatment. Too many times, nighttime appliances are used that can make issues worse. It is so important that people understand TMJ issues are not just jaw related.
Dr Konig explains, “TMJ can be treated non-surgically and conservatively. Not all cases are the same and should not be treated the same”.
Generally speaking, we can divide TMJ Symptoms into 3 Main Categories:
- Myofascial Pain
- Internal Derangement of the Joint
- Degenerative Joint Disease
What differentiates these categories?
Myofascial pain: usually involves discomfort and pain in the muscles that control the jaw movements, and function as well as clenching and nighttime grinding. The pain often shows as:
-facial pain, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain
-headaches, neck aches
-difficulty chewing
Internal Derangement: this is damage in the joint and are structural changes as opposed to muscle issues. This can include clicking and popping of the joint, displaced disc, displaced jaws, or even trauma to the joint. Patients often feel:
-bad or misaligned bite, uncomfortable bite
-poor teeth relationships to each other
-noises in the joint
Degenerative Joint Disease: this is degeneration of the actual joint, the joint has worn and changed shape or resorbed. This can also lead to facial asymmetry. Symptoms are often a result of improper alignment of the jaw which leads to inflammatory diseases of joint.
A CBCT scan of the head and neck can provide valuable insights and information regarding the extent of TMJ breakdown. There is so much information that can be gained from careful analysis and mapping of these scans.
TMJ manifests itself in many ways and a wide range of symptoms. They can be mixed and even involve the ears, posture, and facial changes. Some have pain, some have noises. Many have no clue that TMJ is where their pain is coming from.
Dr. Konig has spent years learning and treating non-surgical jaw treatment to treat and care for patients with these TMJ disorders and offers a wide range of options for conservatively treating these disorders without surgical intervention. These are more predictable as well as include treatment of overbites and underbites. If you have any questions regarding Houston TMJ Treatment, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-248-8868.
