I think I have TMJ Disorder because of some pain in my jaw. I’ve been reading up on it and so many of the sites say it will either require surgery on my jaw or restructuring all my teeth. I’m terrified I’ll have to do this. I’m only 29 and don’t think I can deal with this at the moment.
Elena
Dear Elena,
While there are severe cases where the joint is completely worn down and you’d need surgery for repair, that’s usually a result for much older patients than you. The exception to that would be if you were to experience severe trauma to your jaw.
There are many causes of TMJ Disorder. The most severe is wearing down of the temporomandibular joint. This is usually a gradual problem, so if you take steps early, you may save yourself from surgery later on in life.
One of the big reasons for that jaw joint to wear down is grinding your teeth. Many patients don’t even realize they’re doing it because it happens in their sleep. However, your dentist should be noticing the wearing down of your teeth, if he’s attentive and diligent.
If you are a grinder or clencher, getting a simple night guard will save you a world of problems. It’s custom fit mouthguard that is very comfortable.
Another cause of TMJ problems is when your bite is misaligned and stressing the joint when you bite down. Getting orthodontics can help. In the worst situation, you may need a full-mouth reconstruction which places crowns on all of your teeth. This will become necessary if you grind all of them down.
Finding a TMJ Dentist
You’ll need a dentist who invests time in getting significant TMJ training. This isn’t something you want to get treated from someone who hasn’t done that post-graduate treatment. Look for a dentist who’s done studies with one of the following schools:
- Dawson Academy
- The Pankey Institute
- Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
A dentist who’s studied with any of those will be qualified to diagnose and treat TMJ Disorder. There are other reputable places as well, but these jumped to mind right away.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.