Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Head and Neck Pain

Did you know that headaches, neck and shoulder pain, ringing in the ears, clicking jaw joints and dizziness can be caused by your teeth not coming together properly? Doctors call it Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction syndrome or the Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome. It is also known as the "Great Imposter" for it can often mimic the signs and symptoms of other disorders.

Generally it is caused by the natural or replaced teeth not coming together properly when the jaw joints are seated in their sockets, or by a lack of back teeth support. Since teeth will always seek even contact, the jaw muscles and joint must overwork to obtain the relationship. This can cause these muscles to go into spasm, which can cause pain, much like a cramp in your leg. As the jaw muscles are overworked, so are the counteracting muscles in the neck and shoulder, thus setting up a cycle of muscle spasms, which can refer to other areas of the head, neck and shoulders. The pain can be unbearable.

Dr. Barry can determine if the teeth are the cause by using a plastic insert that fits over the teeth which is called a Biteplane or Occlusal Splint. The Bite plane will allow the teeth to contact evenly and also the jaw joint to assume its proper position. As the muscles relax, the spasm-pain cycle will stop. Sometimes it takes a few months for the spastic muscles to completely relax.

Joint clicking is seen in the young and the adult and is usually a sign of joint dysfunction. This condition in many cases can be treated successfully with the use of various removable orthopedic appliances such as the biteplane previously described. Dental consultation is indicated if a definite click and or pain is felt. If left untreated, this condition may lead to osteoarthritis joint in later years.

After muscle and joint resolution, treatment may consist of occlusal equilibration, which is a procedure in which the interfering tooth contacts are reshaped so that the teeth come together properly, or the placement of restorations or caps on those teeth, or the teeth may have to be orthodontically moved, so that the proper tooth-jaw, relationship is established. Permanent treatment recommendations will be thoroughly discussed following a careful study of each patient's individual needs.