Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

According to the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Association, jaw pain is the most common symptom of TMJ disorders.  That pain is often described as a dull ache in the jaw joint, but it may extend to nearby areas such as the ear.  TMJ ear pain may come and go or migrate to the neck and shoulders.

Some people, however, report no pain, and still others experience difficulty in using their jaws.   Additional symptoms of TMJ, as provided by the TMJ Association, include the following:

• Migraine and/or chronic headache
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping or grating of the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
• A bite that feels "off"
• Ear pain, pressure and/or ringing in the ears
• Decreased hearing
• Dizziness and vision problems

The NIH explains patients may also have dull, aching pain in the face or a reduced ability to open or close the mouth.  According to the Mayo Clinic, an uncomfortable or uneven bite because one or more teeth are making premature contact may also signify TMJ disorder.

Jaw noises unaccompanied by pain or decreased mobility are not indicative of a TMJ problem.  The TMJ Association further advises that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common.  Severe pain that lasts more than a few weeks, however, may be reason to see a health care provider.

Exams and Tests with a Doctor

According to the NIH, the symptoms experienced by a person with TMJ often dictate the type of specialist he or she will need to see.  At this point, a thorough examination will help the doctor determine whether TMJ or another complication is the cause of discomfort.  For this determination, physicians routinely perform dental examinations to identify a poor bite alignment while also feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness.

Health care providers will also press around the head to locate areas that are sensitive or painful and watch, feel and listen to the jaw as it opens and shuts.  Patients must usually slide their teeth from side to side as well as undergo x-rays that will who visible abnormalities.

In some instances, the results of the physical exam will appear normal.  A doctor may then need to consider other conditions, such as ear infections, neuralgias or nerve-related problems.  A CT scan can provide detailed images of the bones involved in the joint, while MRIs can reveal problems with the joint's disk.

Sources:

http://tmj.org/site/content/tmjd-basics

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tmj-disorders/DS00355/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

http://www.overlappingconditions.org/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm

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