TMJ Disorders, Laguna Beach
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. The joint is immediately in front of the ear on each side of the head. The joint is the most complex in the human body allowing the jaw to move in six directions: anterior-posterior, lateral (left and right), and vertical (open and close). When the mandible does not fit into the proper position in the fossa, temporal mandibular joint dysfunction results.
While there is no clear cause of TMJ dysfunction the most common are: injury to the jaw, trauma to the head and/or neck, orthodontics, tooth abrasion, dentistry, and clenching are the most common.
The symptoms range from “popping” and simple soreness of the joint to sever myo-facial pain. Other symptoms can include tinnitus (ringing of the ears), limited ability to open the mouth wide, locking of the jaw, difficulty chewing, clicking and grating sounds in the joint when opening or closing the mouth. The pain can become so severe that patients have known to commit suicide to to the chronic facial pain.
Dr. Gary Boling has treated TMJ dysfucntion for over 25 years and has be used extensively to provide expert testimony relating to this disorder. Since it is the teeth that ultimately determine the position of the condyle (the ascending portion of the mandibule) in the glenoid fossa (the articulating portion of the temporal bone), changing the shape of the teeth will reposition the condyle in the fossa.
- Facial Pain
- Jaw Pain
- Vertigo (dizzyness)
- Clickiing or popping in the jaw
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Headaches/Migranes
- Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands
- Neck and Shoulder pain
Treatment may range from vary from limited tooth grinding to eliminate interferences to full-mouth rehabilitation. If extensive treatment is dictated, Dr. Boling will always begin with fabricating an orthotic appliance which will be worn 24 hours a day for a minimum of two weeks. During this time adjustments are made on the orthotic as we attempt to allievate 100% of the associated pain and symptoms. It may sound like a lot, but this appliance that will eventually be the template that will determine the morphology of the teeth.