Are you finding it hard to chew or talk without pain? Does your jaw ever click or pop when you open your mouth? How about migraines, ear pain, or discomfort that travels from your face to your neck?

These symptoms can all indicate problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles that control it. Located on either side of your face near your ears, these sliding hinge-like joints connect your jaw to your skull and make it possible to open and close your mouth.

The Harvard-trained surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada, with offices in Summerlin and East Side Las Vegas, are board-certified specialists. They have significant expertise in treating TMJ disorders.

Read how these top-rated MDs treat jaw discomfort related to TMJ.

TMJ basics     

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone on both sides of your skull. Muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures support the joint and enable it to move up and down and shift slightly forward and backward as well as side-to-side. These hardworking joints provide the movements you need to chew foods thoroughly and speak clearly.

Understanding TMJ disorder

Like any other joint in your body, the TMJ and muscles, etc. that support it are subject to certain conditions and diseases which can impact its function. Physicians lump these issues into one umbrella-like category that we may refer to as TMJ disorder (TMJD) or simply TMJ.

Underlying conditions linked to TMJD include:

• Dysfunction in the facial muscles, ligaments, etc. that control the joint

• Injury to the joint, i.e., dislocated jaw

• Inflammatory or degenerative arthritis affecting the health of the joint

Your TMJ discomfort may be related to one, two, or all three of these conditions. This can make diagnosis difficult since symptoms can vary widely in intensity, frequency, and location.

Symptoms of TMJ

Depending on the underlying issue, TMJ symptoms may involve one or both joints and can include:

• Pain and stiffness in the facial muscles

• Migraine headaches

• Ear pain

• Discomfort that radiates (travels) downward into your neck

• Popping, clicking, or grinding sensation with jaw movement

• Changes/abnormalities in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together (malocclusion)

• Locking of the joint or difficulty opening/closing your mouth

The aching pain associated with TMJ tends to worsen as the day progresses but can eventually become constant.

How do you treat TMJ?

At Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada, we tailor TMJ treatments to fit your individual needs. We start with conservative approaches designed to relieve your pain and improve joint function.

We may, for instance, recommend:

• Soft foods for a time to help rest your jaw

• Physical therapy exercises to improve jaw muscle strength and flexibility

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Oral splints/appliances worn as you sleep to help realign your jaw

• Avoiding habits like gum chewing which can stress and strain the jaw

• Joint injections to reduce inflammation and swelling

It’s rarely necessary, but we’re also equipped to provide minimally invasive joint repair to resolve severe TMJ. Because of their expertise, our surgeons are often asked to provide this intricate surgery to patients from around the country.

Above all, effective treatment for TMJ begins with an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause(s) of your symptoms.

For expert TMJ diagnosis and treatment, schedule an evaluation at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada today.