TMJ (Jaw Joint Disorder) Symptoms
Not all TMJ pain is caused by temporomandibular joint dislocation or deterioration. In many cases, TMJ symptoms can overlap with other injuries. But through a bit of investigative work and expert examination, we can determine if TMJ treatment is necessary.
Let us know if you’re experiencing any symptoms of:
- Ear pain
- Pain on one side of your jaw
- Popping or clicking noise
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Flat, worn teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Crooked or misaligned teeth
Common TMJ Causes
Unlike other joints, your temporomandibular joint moves in a variety of directions and thousands of times per day. When the TMJ function is atypical, it can gradually begin to strain the joint as well as the surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc.). In turn, this scenario can lead to chronic pain, including sharp pain in ear that comes and goes over time.
If your teeth and jaws are misaligned, it can directly impact the function of your TMJ, resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Overuse is another common cause of TMD. Perhaps you clench your teeth tightly throughout the day (due to stress or while you’re concentrating) or have undiagnosed sleep apnoea. Both of these conditions can tense the TMJ excessively, causing the gradual onset of symptoms.
Additionally, traumatic injuries can be to blame. If you’re involved in a contact sport or were in an automobile accident, trauma to your jaw may have displaced the joint and caused internal damage.
In some scenarios, it’s also possible for the joint to deteriorate or experience bone-related disease. A CBCT scan can show us the full anatomy of your TMJ for an in-depth assessment and diagnosis of pathology.