FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TMJ THERAPY

What is TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)?

TMJ is the name of the jaw joint on both sides which attaches your lower jaw to the temporal bone of your upper jaw.

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

Symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Pain in the jaw joint
• Ear pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Limited lower jaw movement
• Clicking noises upon opening and closing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Sore teeth and headaches in the morning due to clenching or grinding your teeth at night

If you are suffering from any of these unpleasant symptoms please call our office at (519) 455-4110 to set up a consultation with Dr. Rondeau.  Virtual consults can be arranged at no charge.

What may cause TMJ problems?

Some possible causes of TM Dysfunction can include:

• Deep bite
• Upper teeth covering over lower teeth
  
• Lower jaw too far back
  
• Narrow upper arch
  
• Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)
• Whiplash injury
• Traumatic blow to the head
• Extraction of wisdom teeth
• Intubation for surgery as they open the mouth extra wide for this procedure

What is the treatment for TMJ problems?

• Patients who’s jaws click when they open and close are recommended to wear a lower appliance all day even when eating to try and eliminate the clicking jaw and the uncomfortable symptoms.
• To help prevent patients from clenching and grinding at night and waking up with morning headaches and sore teeth and jaws a special design night guard is worn on the upper teeth all night.
• The vast majority of TMJ problems in our office can be corrected without surgery.  Surgery would represent less than 2% of all cases.

Are there any long term effects of TMJ disorder?

• Clicking jaw is known as Stage 2, Internal Derangement (clicking, intermittent locking, pain)
  • If not corrected it can progress to Stage 3, Internal Derangement, lock jaw which is extremely painful.  Patients have trouble opening their jaw and eating.
• If the patient continues to clench at night the facial muscles continue to cause worse pain and headaches in the morning.
• If the patient continues to grind their teeth at night this could cause the teeth to be very sore upon awakening and also could cause them to wear down and in some cases fracture of the tooth and sometimes tooth loss.

If your jaw is clicking on opening and closing or if you have limited opening, lock jaw or are clenching or grinding your teeth at night, you need to call our office at (519) 455-4110 to set up a consultation with Dr. Rondeau.  Virtual consults can be arranged at no charge.

When should I seek treatment for TMJ pain?

If jaw pain, headaches, ringing in the ears and other symptoms of TMJ as listed are affecting your everyday life you should contact Dr. Rondeau’s office as soon as possible for an examination, diagnosis and treatment plan at (519) 455-4110.  Dr. Rondeau has helped many patients like you successfully and without surgery using an upper night guard (special design) and lower appliance to correct clicking jaw and prevent jaw locking.

How do you diagnose TMJ problems?

Summary of TMJ Records:

• TMJ Health Questionnaire helps determine the number of painful symptoms that are affecting the patient.
• X-rays are taken of the TM Joints both sides.  Dentists are trained to take X-rays of the teeth.  Dr. Rondeau takes special X-rays of the TM joints and the teeth.
• Joint Vibration Analysis
  • This simple 5 minute non-invasive test to determine the sounds (vibrations) of each TM Joint to determine the seriousness of the problem.
  • No joint in the body is supposed to make a noise when moving.
• Range of Motion.  We examine the TM Joints during all opening and closing and side movements to determine normal from abnormal.
• Examine the muscles of the head and neck to determine the degree of health or soreness.