TMJ Pain

We recognize that every patient experiences craniofacial pain differently. Some patients may experience TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) pain and dysfunctions (TMD) while others experience primary headaches (known as migraines, tension, and cluster) and others may have facial neuralgias, musculoskeletal pain or a combination of all. TMJ pain is one of the conditions most frequently identified by patients. This condition is caused by disturbances in the action of the jaw that is caused by many different factors. TMJ pain can exist by itself or as a part of a complex problem and is typically caused by more than one factor. Possible causing factors include macro traumas such as an automobile accident, sports injury, accidental falls, etc. or micro traumas such as clenching and grinding of the teeth (bruxism). Clenching and grinding of the teeth cause the muscles that stabilize the joint to become fatigued from overwork. This fatigue then leads to pain in the head, face, jaw, and muscle. Jaw problems, head and facial pain, headaches, migraines, and musculoskeletal pain are often symptoms of bigger problems or disorders being suffered by the body, similar to the way that an infection triggers a fever. In cases where the patient has not suffered an acute injury to the head or facial area, the primary cause of these problems is typically related to a lack of oxygen while sleeping i.e. an unidentified sleep breathing disorder, sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients assume they are breathing and receiving enough oxygen while they sleep. However, it is important to recognize that unconscious behaviors such as nighttime teeth grinding and clenching (bruxing) are unconscious efforts to prevent suffocation. These subconscious behaviors wear down the skeletal structure and the joints over time and then lead to TMJ pain, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, TMJ dysfunctions, and facial neuralgias.