Temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ pain impacts the entire body and not just the jaw joint. The pain can cause the brain to be rewired, limiting cognitive tasks.

It may seem strange that pain in the joint of the jaw can impact the entire body. It does this by rewiring the brain. The jaw joint is located very close to your brain.

Since the brain and the spinal cord function together as part of the nervous system, the pain from TMJ disorder can affect the spinal cord which in turn causes problems sending and receiving signals to and from the brain. TMJ creates a type of roadblock between the messages being sent and received by the brain. This interruption can affect the body in many ways.

TMJ disorder has been associated with neurological problems. TMJ has led to neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, Tourette’s syndrome, Torticollis, and balance disorders.

A neuromuscular dentist will work to bring the components of the teeth, muscles, and temporomandibular joints into balance and proper function. When these are functioning properly the bite is effective, efficient, and pain-free. When the balance is no longer present the jaw becomes misaligned which causes pain that can spread down the neck and into the shoulders.

Neuromuscular dentistry sees the problem of TMJ as one that includes the combination of the jaw, teeth, neck, and head as a complete unit. By working with all of the components treatment plans can be put together to treat the patient.

TMJ or neuromuscular dentistry focuses on correcting the jaw when it is misaligned. Neuromuscular dentists work to find the optimal jaw position that will correct the misalignment and allow the upper and power teeth to come together.

They will use cosmetic dental restorations, orthodontics, or tooth recontouring to realign the jaw joint. This is done to reduce the muscle tension of the jaw muscles to eliminate the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder.

Neuromuscular dentistry works with an emphasis on occlusion (how the teeth come together) and determining where the jaw muscles are the most relaxed.

TMJ disorders are conditions that affect the jaw joints and the muscles and ligaments associated with them. It can be caused by an improper bite, trauma, arthritis, or wear and tear. It can be caused by injuries to the jaw joints or tissues that surround them. Other causes can include:

– A dislocated disc between the socket joint and the ball
– Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)
– Stress
– Arthritis in the jaw joints
– Improper bite
– Acute trauma

TMJ disorder tends to affect people between the ages of 20 and 40. Women are more prone to getting TMJ disorder than men. The most common symptoms include:

– Jaw pain
– Earaches
– Headaches
– Pain in the shoulders or neck
– Jaws that lock, either open or closed
– Difficulty opening the mouth wide
– Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when the jaw joint is opening or closing
– Difficulty chewing
– A tired feeling in the face
– Tinnitus, ringing in the ears
– Swelling on the side of the face
– Change in how the teeth fit together
– Tooth pain

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