WHAT IS TMJ?
TMJ stands for
Temporomandibular Joint, otherwise known as the jaw joint. These
joints are located in front of each ear and the body has a total of two. The TMJ is
the joint formed by the temporal bone of the skull (temporo) with the
lower jaw or mandible (mandibular). They are the points at which the
lower jaw attaches to the base of the skull. By placing your fingers in front
of your ears on both sides of your face, you can feel the movement of the
lower jaw in the TM Joints. The TM Joint is the most complex joint in the
human body, moving each time we chew, talk or even swallow. Unlike the
ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder or hip, the TM Joint is actually a
sliding joint, allowing for an infinite range of combined movements. Placed
between these two bones is a disc, just like the one between your back bones.
This disc is primarily made of cartilage and acts as a cushion to provide
protection from bone rubbing against bone.
A
malfunction of one or both of these jaw joints can be caused by trauma,
whiplash, malocclusion (bad bite), poor posture, teeth grinding or skeletal
malformation. Any malfunction prevents the complex system of muscles, bones
and joints from working together in harmony. The result is TMJ disorder --
also known as TMD. It is estimated
that one in every 4 people suffer from one of more TMJ symptoms. Because TMJ
is known as the "great impostor" it can be difficult to diagnose without the
knowledge of how the jaw joints, muscles, and bones work together.
Do you suffer from TMJ Disorder?
YOU MAY HAVE A TMJ DISORDER IF YOU SUFFER
FROM ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS BELOW:
- Chronic, recurring
headaches
- Click, pop or grating sound in the jaw joints
-
Earaches, congestion or
ringing in ears
- Limited jaw opening or locking
- Dizziness
- Pain when chewing
- Neck and or throat pain
- Difficulty in closing the teeth together
- Tired, tight
jaws
- Pain behind the eyes
- Scalp tenderness
- Swallowing difficulty
- Depression
- Inability to get a
good night’s sleep
- Photophobia or light
sensitivity
- Blurred vision and
eye muscle twitching
- Trigger points in
muscles
*In-office Dental CT scanner provides an immediate
view of the jaw joints and potential damage or bone loss.
The
effect of a misaligned jaw on posture:
"Sit up straight!"
Your mother isn't the only one who constantly strives to correct your
posture. The many systems of our body are always working to maintain
alignment. When something is out of alignment, such as the jaw joint,
systems throughout the body adjust themselves in an attempt to stay aligned.
The "head-righting
reflex" is one theory about how the body will do all it can to keep the eyes
on the horizon, as well as position the head such that the ears receive
stereoscopic sound. The brain is the control center for this reflex.
If you think about
chewing for a moment: The body can chew and still focus the eyes
without having the head bob up and down. The body has an amazing
ability to chew food in any head position.
The head-righting
reflex is so important to the body that it actually determines posture.
The head will adjust to keep the eyes on the horizon even if it means the
neck has to compromise it's position. With the neck compromised and
the head is no longer at the center of gravity, the rest of the body
compensates and the entire posture will be disrupted. Posture is a
result of head position, not a cause of it.
If a person has a bad
bite or other factors with the teeth and facial bones, chances are the body
has compensated somewhere for the misalignment of the jaw. This
compensation can affect posture. Once the jaw alignment is corrected,
the body will compensate again for the change. By integrating
sacral-occipital chiropractic treatment along with jaw treatment, we help to improve posture
and the result is a healthy body. |
SLEEP
DISORDERS DENTISTRY 
