How can TMJ disorders cause dizziness and vertigo. What are the symptoms of TMJ-related dizziness. How to alleviate TMJ dizziness at home. When to seek professional help for TMJ and dizziness. How are cervicogenic headaches related to neck issues. Can neck problems cause jaw pain and vertigo.

The Temporomandibular Joint: A Complex Connection

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a crucial role in our daily lives, facilitating essential functions like speaking, chewing, and swallowing. This intricate joint connects the jaw to the skull, allowing for a wide range of movements. However, when the TMJ malfunctions, it can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), which may cause a variety of symptoms, including jaw pain and, surprisingly, dizziness.

What is TMD?

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) refers to a group of disorders affecting the TMJ and surrounding muscles. These conditions can cause pain, discomfort, and impaired function of the jaw. While jaw pain is the most common symptom, many people are unaware that TMD can also lead to dizziness and vertigo.

The Unexpected Link: TMJ and Dizziness

Can TMJ problems really cause dizziness? The answer is yes. While it may seem surprising, there is a connection between TMD and vertigo or dizziness. This link is not fully understood, but researchers believe it relates to the proximity of the TMJ to the inner ear and nervous system components responsible for balance.

Symptoms of TMJ-Related Dizziness

TMJ-related dizziness often manifests as vertigo, an unpleasant whirling sensation. Common symptoms include:

• Mental disorientation
• Feeling that surroundings are moving
• Confusion
• Fear of falling
• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea and vomiting (in severe cases)

The Vestibular System: Our Body’s Balance Center

To understand the connection between TMJ and dizziness, we need to explore the vestibular system. This complex network consists of the inner ear and parts of the nervous system that control balance and eye movements. Sensors in the inner ear monitor our physical position in space and our body’s response to gravity, sending signals to the brain’s vestibular nuclei.

These signals prompt adjustments in our eye muscles, legs, and arms to maintain balance and stability. When these signals are disrupted or incorrectly transmitted, it can lead to difficulty balancing and the sensation of dizziness.

The Anatomical Connection

Why does TMD affect the vestibular system? The answer lies in anatomy. The middle and inner ear are located in close proximity to the TMJ. Inflammation or dysfunction in the TMJ region may affect the vestibular nuclei, disrupting the delicate balance of signals that keep us steady.

Identifying TMJ-Related Dizziness

How can you tell if your dizziness is related to TMJ issues? While determining the exact cause of TMD can be challenging, there are several signs to look out for:

• Tenderness and discomfort in the jaw area
• Popping or grating sounds when moving the jaw
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Clicking sounds near the ears, close to the condyles
• Jaw pain accompanied by dizziness or vertigo

If you experience these symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

Alleviating TMJ Dizziness: Self-Care Strategies

While severe cases of TMJ-related dizziness may require professional intervention, there are several self-care strategies you can try at home to alleviate symptoms:

1. Apply heat or ice packs to the affected jaw area at regular intervals
2. Eat soft foods to reduce stress on the jaw
3. Avoid extreme jaw movements like talking loudly, yawning widely, or chewing gum
4. Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and pain
5. Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress, which can exacerbate TMJ issues
6. Try gentle jaw exercises as recommended by a healthcare professional

Is it possible to completely eliminate TMJ-related dizziness through self-care? While these strategies can provide significant relief, persistent or severe symptoms may require professional treatment.

When to Seek Professional Help

When should you consult a doctor for TMJ-related dizziness? If your symptoms persist despite self-care measures or if they significantly impact your daily life, it’s time to seek professional help. A healthcare provider can perform a thorough examination, which may include:

• Physical examination of the jaw, joint, and surrounding muscles
• Listening for sounds during jaw movement
• X-rays or other imaging tests to identify underlying issues

In severe cases, TMJ disorder and associated dizziness can increase the risk of falls and injuries. Therefore, it’s crucial to address these symptoms promptly and effectively.

The Neck-Jaw-Dizziness Connection: Cervicogenic Headaches

Interestingly, the connection between jaw pain, dizziness, and headaches extends beyond the TMJ. Cervicogenic headaches, which originate from issues in the neck, can also cause similar symptoms. These headaches account for about 15-20% of all headaches and are considered secondary headaches, meaning they result from conditions or injuries in other parts of the body.

Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches

How do neck problems lead to headaches, jaw pain, and dizziness? Cervicogenic headaches are a form of referred pain, where the source of discomfort is in one area (the neck) but the pain is felt in another (the head or jaw). The complex network of nerves and muscles connecting the neck, jaw, and head can lead to this phenomenon.

Common symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include:

• Pain on one side of the head or face
• Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Pain that worsens with certain neck movements or positions
• Shoulder or arm pain on the same side as the headache
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Jaw pain or difficulty opening the mouth fully

Treating Neck-Related Jaw Pain and Dizziness

How can neck-related jaw pain and dizziness be addressed? Treatment for cervicogenic headaches and associated symptoms often involves a multidisciplinary approach:

1. Physical therapy: Exercises and manual techniques to improve neck mobility and strength
2. Postural correction: Addressing poor posture that may contribute to neck strain
3. Pain management: Medications or other interventions to alleviate pain and inflammation
4. Lifestyle modifications: Ergonomic adjustments and stress reduction techniques
5. Specialized treatments: Such as nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablation in severe cases

Can physical therapy effectively treat cervicogenic headaches and related symptoms? Many patients find significant relief through targeted physical therapy interventions. A skilled physical therapist can design a personalized treatment program to address the underlying neck issues causing headaches, jaw pain, and dizziness.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis

Why is accurate diagnosis crucial for treating jaw pain, dizziness, and headaches? Given the complex interplay between the TMJ, neck, and vestibular system, proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Symptoms that may seem related to TMJ disorder could actually stem from neck issues, or vice versa.

A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional specializing in head and face pain can help pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms. This may involve:

• Detailed medical history
• Physical examination of the jaw, neck, and surrounding structures
• Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs
• Specialized tests to assess balance and vestibular function

Based on the diagnosis, a tailored treatment plan can be developed to address your specific needs and provide lasting relief.

Holistic Approaches to Managing TMJ and Neck-Related Symptoms

Can a holistic approach help manage TMJ and neck-related symptoms more effectively? Many healthcare providers are adopting integrative strategies that address not only the physical symptoms but also lifestyle factors that may contribute to or exacerbate these issues.

Stress Management

Stress is a common factor in both TMJ disorders and cervicogenic headaches. Implementing stress-reduction techniques can significantly improve symptoms:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Yoga or tai chi
• Regular exercise
• Adequate sleep hygiene

Dietary Considerations

How can diet impact TMJ and neck-related symptoms? Certain dietary choices may influence inflammation and pain levels:

• Reducing intake of inflammatory foods (e.g., processed sugars, trans fats)
• Increasing consumption of anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., omega-3 rich fish, leafy greens)
• Staying hydrated to support overall joint health
• Avoiding excessive caffeine, which can increase muscle tension

Ergonomic Adjustments

Can ergonomic changes help alleviate symptoms? Proper ergonomics can significantly reduce strain on the neck and jaw:

• Adjusting computer monitors to eye level
• Using a headset for phone calls to avoid cradling the phone
• Ensuring proper support for the lower back while sitting
• Taking regular breaks to stretch and move during prolonged periods of sitting

The Role of Dental Care in Managing TMJ Disorders

How does dental care factor into TMJ treatment? Dentists specializing in TMJ disorders can play a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment:

• Assessing bite alignment and jaw position
• Providing custom-fitted mouthguards or splints to alleviate jaw tension
• Recommending orthodontic treatments if misalignment contributes to TMJ issues
• Offering guidance on proper chewing and speaking habits to reduce jaw strain

In some cases, collaboration between dentists and other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists or neurologists, may be necessary for comprehensive care.

Emerging Treatments and Research

What new treatments are being developed for TMJ disorders and related symptoms? Ongoing research is exploring innovative approaches to managing these complex conditions:

• Botulinum toxin injections to relax overactive jaw muscles
• Regenerative medicine techniques, such as platelet-rich plasma therapy
• Advanced imaging technologies for more precise diagnosis
• Neurofeedback and biofeedback techniques to improve muscle control
• Virtual reality applications for pain management and rehabilitation

While many of these treatments are still in the experimental stage, they offer hope for improved management of TMJ disorders and associated symptoms in the future.

Living with TMJ and Neck-Related Symptoms: Long-Term Management

How can individuals effectively manage TMJ and neck-related symptoms over the long term? Successful management often involves a combination of professional care and self-management strategies:

1. Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed
2. Consistent practice of prescribed exercises and stretches
3. Maintaining good posture and ergonomic habits
4. Being mindful of jaw clenching or teeth grinding, especially during stress
5. Using relaxation techniques to manage stress and tension
6. Staying informed about new developments in treatment options

Can TMJ and neck-related symptoms be completely cured? While complete cure may not always be possible, many individuals achieve significant improvement and learn to effectively manage their symptoms with proper care and lifestyle adjustments.

The Importance of Patient Education and Support

Why is patient education crucial in managing TMJ and neck-related disorders? Empowering patients with knowledge about their condition can lead to better outcomes:

• Understanding the underlying causes of symptoms
• Recognizing triggers that may exacerbate symptoms
• Learning proper self-care techniques
• Being aware of when to seek professional help
• Participating actively in treatment decisions

Support groups and online communities can also play a valuable role, providing emotional support and practical tips for living with these conditions.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Approach to Jaw Pain, Dizziness, and Headaches

The complex interplay between TMJ disorders, neck issues, and symptoms like dizziness and headaches underscores the need for a comprehensive, individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment. By understanding the connections between these conditions and exploring various treatment options, individuals can find effective ways to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Whether through self-care strategies, professional medical interventions, or a combination of both, relief is possible for those suffering from TMJ-related dizziness, cervicogenic headaches, and associated symptoms. As research continues to advance our understanding of these conditions, new and improved treatment options offer hope for even better outcomes in the future.

The Impacts Of Sleep Apnea On Your Brain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connecting your jaw and skull aids in essential functions such as speaking, chewing, and swallowing. When your TMJ malfunctions, you may experience mild to severe pain. Dizziness is one of the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in the joint or surrounding area that should be taken seriously. Learn more about TMJ dizziness in this article.

Learn about the connection between TMD and dizziness, as well as how to stop it.

What Is the Relationship Between TMJ and Dizziness?

TMJ disorder patients may experience dizziness or an unpleasant whirling sensation known as vertigo. Typical vertigo symptoms include:

• Disorientation of the mind
• The perception that things are moving
• Confusion
• Fear of falling
• Balance is difficult to achieve
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea and vomiting (in stressful situations)

These symptoms are related to the vestibular system, which consists of the inner ear and nervous system components that help control balance and eye movements. Sensors in the inner ear monitor your physical position in space as well as your body’s response to gravity. These sensors send signals to the brain’s vestibular nuclei, which alert the eye muscles, legs, and arms to make the necessary adjustments to stay upright and balanced.

When these signals are hampered or incorrectly transmitted, the body’s adjustments are insufficient, resulting in difficulty balancing. Although the relationship between TMDs and otological symptoms such as vertigo is not fully understood, some explain the correlation by the middle and inner ear’s anatomical and structural proximity. Inflammation in the TMJ region may affect the vestibular nuclei and disrupt signals, putting patients with TMD off-balance.

How to Get Rid of TMJ Dizziness

Unless you have an obvious injury or trauma to the jaw, determining the exact causes of your TMJ dysfunction can be difficult. Begin by making a list of all your symptoms to take to your primary care physician or dentist. This list will assist your doctor in determining whether TMD is the source of your dizziness. Other signs that you may have TMD include:

• Tenderness and discomfort
• You may hear popping or grating sounds while moving jaws
• Having trouble opening and closing your jaw
• A clicking sound just in front of your ears, near the condyles

The doctor will examine your jaw, the joint, and the surrounding muscles for pain and will look for sounds while moving the joint. X-rays are required if there is an underlying issue that affects your jaw.

Unless you are in excruciating pain, try some self-care strategies at home to alleviate your TMJ dizziness. Begin by directly addressing any TMJ pain or problems, such as applying a heat or ice pack to the affected jaw area at regular intervals. Eat soft foods and avoid extreme movements such as talking loudly, yawning widely, or chewing gum to allow the joint to rest. OTC medications can also help reduce inflammation and they can help with vertigo or dizziness. Relaxing and avoiding stress can help reduce dizziness too. OTC medications are also available to

In the worst-case scenario, your TMJ disorder and dizziness put you at risk of falling and injuring yourself while you’re off-balance. Aside from that, dizziness is only a symptom. A specialist in head and face pain diagnosis and treatment can diagnose the source of your TMD, and devise treatment strategies.

Headaches, vertigo, and jaw pain in New York City can all be caused by issues that start within the neck

More than 100 types of headaches have been identified, and while each of these arises from a different cause, they all tend to make life more difficult during an episode.  One of the most common types of headaches is called a cervicogenic headache, which is actually more related to a problem within the neck than the head.  Issues related to structures of the neck can lead to complications elsewhere as well, including vertigo and jaw pain in New York City.  Fortunately, our physical therapists are trained to identify cases when the neck is responsible for these problems and can then work on designing an appropriate treatment program to address them.

Headaches can generally be classified into two groups: primary and secondary.  A primary headache simply means the headache itself is the disorder, while secondary headaches result from other conditions or injuries to other areas of the body.  Cervicogenic headaches are one of the most prevalent types of secondary headaches, and they account for about 15-20% of all headaches.  They’re classified as secondary headaches because they occur due to a dysfunction within the neck rather than the head.

As a result, cervicogenic headaches are considered to be a form of referred pain. This means that even though the source of the pain is within the cervical region of the spine (the neck), the sensation of pain is felt in the head as a headache.  The reason that neck problems lead to headaches is because there are nerves in the upper spine that have connections with certain nerves in the head.  As a result, damage or dysfunction in one area can lead to symptoms in the other.

But the repercussions of a neck-related dysfunction don’t end with headaches.   The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects the part of the skull directly in front of the ears (temporal bone) to the lower jaw (mandible).  Since the neck, TMJ, and skull are located so closely to one another, slight variations in the way each of these areas functions can lead to problems in others. This is one reason why about 44% of patients with cervicogenic headaches also have TMJ pain, as the two can influence each other.

The muscles and joints in the neck also send signals about the position and movement of the head to the brain, which helps to keep the body balanced.  But when the receptors in the neck can’t properly communicate with the brain because of neck problems, it may result in vertigo, which is a sensation that a person or the world around them is spinning.

How physical therapy can address your cervicogenic headaches, vertigo, and jaw pain in New York City

Since all of these potential issues originate in the neck, the only way to fix them is by first identifying the source of the problem and then addressing the dysfunction.   This is where we come in, as our physical therapists perform a thorough evaluation during patients’ first visit to get to the root of the issue before beginning any treatments.  From there, if your symptoms are found to be related to the neck, your therapist will then create a treatment program that will target any structures that may be weak or out of balance.  Below are a few interventions that might be recommended for cervicogenic headaches and other similar issues:

• Manual therapy: after identifying what parts of the upper spine are dysfunctional, your therapist will move and mobilize specific muscles and joints to relieve tension and reduce symptoms
• SNAGs: sustained natural apophyseal glides, or SNAGs for short, are a type of exercise ideal for cervicogenic headache in which you’ll mimic the manual therapy performed by the therapist on your own
• Postural reeducation: since poor posture can often be a contributing factor, your therapist will help to identify if there are any aspects of your posture that are out of alignment and guide you on how to correct them
• Strengthening exercises: these exercises will focus on building up the strength of the muscles in the neck and shoulder regions to provide more support and reduce the chances of future symptoms
• Soft-tissue massage: this is another hands-on technique performed by the therapist to reduce tension and alleviate painful symptoms
• Vestibular neck exercises: these exercises are designed to improve the positioning and orientation of the head
• Vestibulo-ocular reflex exercises: for vertigo-related issues, these exercises will help improve visual tracking and coordination between head and eye movements

While there are still many unknowns when it comes to managing headaches and other problems arising from neck dysfunction, physical therapy remains an effective option that you should strongly consider.  So if you’re dealing with headaches, vertigo, or TMJ pain in New York City, we’d like to help.  Contact Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy at 212-317-8303 to schedule an appointment today, or click here for more information on physical therapy for cervicogenic headaches.

Jaw headache (temporomandibular headache)

Jaw headache is also called temporomandibular joint headache. Jaw headache is due to dysfunction of the jaw muscles and joints. Causes include underbite, bruxism (teeth grinding at night), stress, and reduced movement in the joints in the upper neck.

This type of headache may present as a push, heavy and pressing band around the head, in the forehead, or along the sides of the head and jaw. It can also be particularly similar to the symptoms that come from stress headaches due to the fact that both types of headaches are often associated with tense and painful muscles in their pain pattern, but the noticeable difference between the two will be that the headaches jaw pains cause clearly more sore pressure on the jaw joints and jaw muscles.

Jaw headache: when your jaw hurts in your head

Many people know that the neck can cause headaches, but few people know that the jaw can often be the underlying cause or root cause of headaches.

Failure over time or injury (fall, abuse, etc.) can damage the jaw joint or the meniscus of the jaw (yes, the meniscus of the jaw is the same as that of the knee). This, in turn, can cause muscles and joints to become sensitive to pain and emit pain signals, which can lead to what we call jaw headaches.

Affected? Join the Facebook group “ Headache Network – Norway: research, new discoveries and cohesion” for the latest research news and media coverage about this disorder. Here participants can also get help and support – at any time of the day – by sharing their own experiences and advice.

Pain relief: how to get rid of a headache in the jaw?

To relieve headaches in the jaw (temporomandibular headaches) we recommend lying down for a while (about 20-30 minutes) with the so-called “migraine mask”Above the eyes (a mask that is stored in your freezer and which is specially adapted migraines, neck headaches and stress headaches) – this will dampen some of the pain signals and relieve some of your tension. Click on the image or link below to learn more about it.

For long-term improvement, regular use of point balls to trigger tense muscles in the shoulders and neck (you know what you have!) and exercise as well as stretching is recommended. Meditation and yoga can also be helpful interventions to reduce mental stress in everyday life. Light, regular self-massage of the jaw muscles can also be helpful.

Read more: Pain relief headache and migraine mask (Opens in a new window)

Presentation of pain: Symptoms of headache in the jaw (temporomandibular headache)

Symptoms and signs of headache in the jaw may vary, but some typical and characteristic symptoms:

• Mild or moderate pain or pressure in the jaw, temples, up or on the sides of the head
• Headache usually occurs later in the day
• Sleep problems
• Lettirritable
• Difficulty of concentration
• Mild light and sound sensitivity
• Unilateral pain in head and/or face
• Soreness and discomfort in the muscles – especially the masseter muscle (Masticatory)

unlike migraine then you will not have neurological symptoms of headache in the jaw. Examples of nerve symptoms that can occur with a migraine include muscle weakness and blurred vision. And, as mentioned, jaw headaches do not cause sound sensitivity, photosensitivity, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, as migraines can.

Epidemiology: who has a headache? Who suffered the most?

Jaw headaches can affect anyone. As mentioned, this type of headache is often mistaken for a stress headache – and it’s estimated that 4 out of 5 people have an episode of stress headache from time to time. Approximately 3 out of 100 people suffer from chronic daily tension headaches, which is quite a lot when you think about it. Women are affected twice as often as men – perhaps this is due to their ability to use large parts of the brain (multitasking)?

Reason: Why does your jaw hurt (temporomandibular headache)?

Headache in the jaw is caused by dysfunction of the jaw muscles and joints. It can be due to birth defects in the bite, sudden or over time injuries to the meniscus or jaw joint – or tight, tight muscles due to high levels of mental and physical stress in daily life.

Upper neck and jaw function hand in hand. This means that dysfunction of the neck can lead to increased pressure sensitivity/soreness in the jaw and vice versa. Regular self-treatment of tense muscles in the upper back and neck, for example involving trigger point balls. Use against tense muscles can also give good results in the long run.

Increased muscle tension as a trigger for headache in the jaw can be caused by:

• Reduced quality of sleep
• Poor posture and forward head position
• Emotional and mental stress, including depression
• Fear
• Fatigue and fatigue
• Low iron

Exercise and stretching: what exercises can help with a headache in the jaw?

Regular strength training (so different – not just biceps) neck, upper back and shoulders, as well as stretching, breathing exercises and yoga can help with jaw headaches. We recommend that you create a good daily routine that includes daily individual neck stretching.

Try This: – 4 Stretches for Neck Stiffness

We also recommend these 5 specific jaw exercises.

Jaw headache treatment

A combination approach is important for jaw headache management. Here you must eliminate the factors that cause headache in the jaw, and work regularly to reduce unnecessary physical and mental stress.

• needle treatment: Dry needle and intramuscular acupuncture can reduce muscle pain and relieve muscle problems
• Medical treatment : It is not recommended to take painkillers over time due to the fact that all medicines have side effects, but sometimes you just need to relieve the symptoms – then it is recommended to use the least strong painkillers you can use.
• Muscle Whip Treatment: Muscle therapy can reduce muscle tension and muscle pain.
• Joint Therapy: A muscle and joint specialist (eg a chiropractor) will work with both muscles and joints to give you functional improvement and symptom relief. This treatment will be tailored to each individual patient based on a thorough examination, which also takes into account the overall health of the patient. Most likely, treatment will consist of joint correction, muscle work, ergonomics/posture counseling, and other forms of treatment appropriate to the individual patient.
• Yoga and Meditation Yoga, mindfulness and meditation can help reduce mental stress in the body. A good measure for those who have too much stress in everyday life.

Self-help: what can I do even with muscle and joint pain?

1. General exercise, specific exercises, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within pain limits. Two walks a day for 20-40 minutes are good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we highly recommend – they come in different sizes so you can even hit all parts of the body. There is no better self-help than this! We recommend the following (click image below) is a complete set of 5 trigger points/massage balls in different sizes:

) can help you train strength and function. Knitting training often includes more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain relief – cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by gently cooling the area. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they settle down, heat treatment is recommended – so having both cooling and heating is desirable.

5. Pain Relief – Heating: Warming up the muscles can improve circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot/cold pad (click here to learn more about it) – which can be used for both cooling (can be frozen) and heating (can be heated in the microwave).

6. Prevention and treatment: Compression noise like this can increase blood circulation in the affected area, thereby accelerating the natural healing of damaged or worn muscles and tendons.

Recommended Pain Relief Products for Pain

Biofreeze (Cold/Cryotherapy)

9 0003

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Diseases temporomandibular joint

Few people know, but dentists are engaged not only in the treatment of teeth and gums. The scope of their professional interests also includes the temporomandibular composition (TMJ). His illnesses are quite common. In most cases, they appear quite brightly and cause a lot of inconvenience to a person. In dentistry, diseases of the temporomandibular joint are dealt with in a separate section called Gnathology. If there are any complaints, the gnathologist performs both diagnostics and treatment. And also, if necessary, refers to other specialists.

Appointment

Features of the structure and functioning of the temporomandibular joint

The temporomandibular joint is a structure that connects the lower jaw and the base of the skull. It has a rather complex structure, because it combines two anatomically separate joints at once: lower and upper. Thanks to this, as well as the presence of the articular disc, the TMJ moves in the following directions:
• vertical axis: a person can open and close his mouth without problems;
• sagittal axis: displacement of the jaw forward and backward;
• frontal axis: the jaw moves freely both to the right and to the left.

Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction

Diseases of the temporomandibular joint are characterized by a rather diverse clinical picture. Patients often complain about:
 Characteristic sounds in the joints. Most often we are talking about clicking in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe joint of the lower jaw. The sound accompanies chewing, mouth opening and other jaw movements. It can be loud enough that even people around you can hear it.
 Pain in the area of ​​the joint. It usually occurs when the jaws move.
 Headache. This symptom occurs in almost all cases of TMJ dysfunction. Most often, the pain is localized in the temples or in the back of the head. Pain is acute, often given to the ears. Dizziness and other neurological symptoms are also possible.
 Malocclusion. Due to impaired mobility of the joint, bite often suffers. This can result in increased tooth wear.

Most often, gnatologists diagnose the following diseases of the TMJ:

• arthrosis: occurs as a result of degenerative changes in tissues, often a consequence of various kinds of inflammatory processes;
• dislocation of the joint: characterized by a violation of the location of the jaws, accompanied by pronounced symptoms;
• arthritis: an inflammatory acute disease which, if left untreated, can lead to joint deformity;
• ankylosis: due to trauma, infection, complications of arthritis and characterized by limited mandibular mobility;
• musculoskeletal dysfunction: This is a dysfunction of the muscles and joints due to trauma or problems with the occlusion of the teeth.

If the most exact cause of the problem with the TMJ could not be established, then doctors talk about the syndrome of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. This is a rather difficult and even controversial diagnosis, so it is very important to find a sufficiently experienced and qualified specialist to help cure this pathology.

Treatment of the temporomandibular joint in Skakovsky Dentistry

If you are concerned about any discomfort or pain in the TMJ area, you can always seek help from Skakovsky Dentistry, a gnathologist in Sochi. Specialists of a narrow focus work here, who will send you for diagnostic procedures, as well as prescribe the necessary treatment. Each case is considered on an individual basis, taking into account the characteristics of your body. As a result, positive results can be achieved very quickly. Therefore, do not ignore unpleasant symptoms. A timely visit to a gnathologist will relieve you of pain and will improve the prevention of complications.

Appointment

Causes of TMJ diseases

The causes of TMJ dysfunction can be very diverse. Often this is an injury, such as a fracture of the jaw or facial bones. Also, the disease can develop due to severe stress and, as a result, due to the habit of clenching teeth strongly. Anomaly of bite also leads to TMJ pathologies, therefore it is recommended to correct it as soon as possible. Sometimes the reason may be poor-quality prosthetics, so it is very important to do all procedures with experienced and qualified professionals.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of TMJ diseases is complex. To confirm or refute the diagnosis, as a rule, one examination is not enough. In this case, the gnathologist-stomatologist directs the patient for x-rays, computed tomography, MRI, electromyography. Another common diagnostic procedure is densitometry, during which bone density is measured.

Methods of treatment of diseases of the TMJ

The method of treatment of the temporomandibular joint depends on many factors.