Opinion Useful Thoughts

What to do when faced with TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome or TMD in dental care?

April 20, 2025 1:47 pm
Yong Heong

by Professor Dasan Swaminathan

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, just in front of your ears.

You have one TMJ on each side of your face. These joints allow you to open and close your mouth, chew, talk, and yawn.

TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome or TMD is a condition where there is pain or abnormal movement in the TMJ and the surrounding muscles.

What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome? There could be pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, or around the ears.

Or there are clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth.

There may be difficulty or discomfort in fully opening the mouth or locking of the jaw, where it gets stuck in an open or closed position.

As for ear-related symptoms, there may be earaches, ringing (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure sensation. Headaches or facial pain may radiate to the neck or shoulders.

And be on the lookout for uneven bite or jaw deviation during movement when jaw may shift to one side during opening or closing

Management of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome

  1. Self-Care and Lifestyle Modifications
  • Soft diet: Avoid hard or chewy foods
  • Jaw rest: Avoid wide mouth opening (e.g., yawning excessively)
  • Stress management: Stress can increase jaw clenching and grinding
  • Warm compress or ice packs: Reduce muscle tension and inflammation

  • 2. Medications
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Muscle relaxants (short-term use)
  • Low-dose antidepressants: If chronic pain or muscle tension is present
  • Topical analgesics or painkillers for local relief

  • 3. Jaw Exercises and Physical Therapy
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises under professional guidance
  • Massage therapy and posture correction

  • 4. Occlusal Splints (Mouthguards)
  • Custom-made night guards to reduce clenching/grinding
  • Help relieve pressure on the TMJ
  • 5. Dental or Orthodontic Interventions
  • Correct malocclusion or misalignment of the teeth or missing teeth
  • 6. Advanced/Referral Treatments
  • Trigger point injections in chronic muscle pain
  • Arthrocentesis or arthroscopy for joint lavage or washing out a body cavity or organ
  • Surgery (rare and last resort).

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