TMJ Symptoms
TMJ Dentistry In Novi, Michigan
Serving Ann Arbor and the Metro Detroit area
Those who suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome) are often not aware that their pain and discomfort is related to TMJ. Their symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed and, in some cases, the wrongly prescribed treatment actually makes the problems worse. If you suffer from any of the following TMJ symptoms, you may wish consult with a neuromuscular dentist in order to rule out TMJ as the cause. You may find some of these symptoms surprising:
- Headaches - one of the more common symptoms of TMJ. Often misdiagnosed as migraine headache
- Pain in neck, shoulder, and back - malocclusion, or a misaligned bite, can twist the jaw into a strained position that, in turn, creates pain in the neck, shoulders, and back muscles
- Clicking or popping of jaw joints - the most common symptom of TMJ. You may not currently feel pain when the jaw clicks or pops, but if not treated, further problems including pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles may develop. The cause is usually a displaced disc in the jaw
- Jaw pain - a common symptom in which misalignment of your bite disrupts the placement of the jaw and surrounding muscles. Forces on the teeth can cause some of the jawbone to dissolve or for extra bony projections to build up
- Limited jaw movement or locking jaw - a misaligned bite can also cause locking jaw. In some cases, the locked jaw must be moved to one side for the mouth to be able to open wide. Or the jaw must be opened until it pops in order for the jaw to unlock.
- Reduced ability to open or close mouth
- Pain and sensitivity in teeth - a misaligned bite can cause all your teeth to be sore. A displaced temporomandibular joint, however, may cause you to clench or grind your teeth, making another source of tooth sensitivity. A misdiagnosis can lead to root canals (endodontic treatment) or tooth extractions, which can make the problem worse!
- Clenching or grinding of teeth/jaw
- Facial pain - the surrounding muscles, nerves, joints, and bones affected by a misaligned bite include the muscles of the face. These experience spasms or strain because the muscles are working harder to compensate for the unstable bite
- Numbness in arms and fingers - when a misaligned bite causes the surrounding muscles to spasm, they can pinch the brachial plexis nerves leading down the arms and into the hands. This can cause a numb or tingling sensation
- Earache, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or ear pressure - another common symptom that is often misdiagnosed. A misaligned jaw affects surrounding muscles and nerves, including those in and around the ears
- Dizziness
- Biting or chewing difficulty
- Difficulty swallowing
- Crowded teeth
- Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Loose teeth
- Depression - most TMJ symptoms include some form of chronic pain, which has been shown to cause chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression. This condition is exasperated by the frustration resulting from repeated misdiagnoses of the original symptoms
If you suffer from any of the TMJ symptoms listed, you should consult with an experienced neuromuscular dentist. And if you live in the Detroit, Michigan area, find out how you can benefit from the Dr. Serra difference!
