The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull – your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint comes into play throughoutour daily lives, allowing us to chew, talk, even breathe heavily. When problems arise with the TMJ and the corresponding muscles and teeth, this is known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Dr. Dallas Kenson is trained and have significant practical experience treating TMD with neuromuscular dentistry.
What Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
You think of your bite as your teeth, but a balanced bite actually requires the temporomandibular joint, the teeth, and the masseter muscles to all work together in harmony. When all is properly aligned, chewing is quiet and you don’t have pain in the jaw or lower face. But if one or more of the three components of your bite force the jaw into misalignment, you now have problems with every movement of the jaw. This can lead to pain across the jaw and face, and it can radiate down into the neck and shoulders. You are suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Symptoms Of TMJ
TMD can lead to chronic pain. It’s most common in younger people, between the ages of 20 and 40, occurring more in women than men.
These are the typical symptoms associated with TMD:
- Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw joint area, neck, and shoulders, or in and around the ears when you chew or otherwise open your mouth
- Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” either open or closed
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you chew or simply open or close your mouth
- Consistent headaches
- Regular jaw stiffness
- Ear ringing
- Unintentional teeth grinding
- A tired feeling in your face
- Upper shoulder pain
- Dizziness
Causes Of TMJ Disorder
Diagnosing TMD can be difficult unless the dentist has experience with neuromuscular dentistry. Our doctors are the TMJ specialists in Denver. Symptoms such as earaches, headaches, and facial pain can be incorrectly attributed to sinus infections, tooth decay, even gum disease. Causes can be related to problems with the bite, but also from subtler issues such as stress and nightly teeth clenching during sleep. Traumatic injury to the jaw joints or related muscles can also lead to TMD. Some causes of TMD are still unknown, although research points to a possible genetic predisposition.
Here are some causes of TMD:
- Grinding or clenching the teeth
- Movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint
- Arthritis in the joint
- Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth
Can Bruxism Cause TMD?
When a person clenches and grinds their teeth, usually during sleep, this is called bruxism. Stress and anxiety are often thought to cause bruxism, but it can also be the resultof a misaligned bite and other reasons. Left untreated bruxism can lead to TMD.
Diagnosing TMJ Disorder
TMD is often misdiagnosed because it exhibits symptoms similar to other conditions. But when our doctors suspect TMD, they look for areas of tenderness around the jaw joints. This is a sign that the muscles are being overworked due to jaw misalignment. You’ll be asked to open and close your jaw, and they listen for clicking, popping, and grating – these are telltale signs of TMD.
Other tests are also employed, if necessary:
- Full-face x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans – These may be used to view the position of the jaw and temporomandibular joints.
- Sonography – Sound waves are used to determine whether there are any problems with jaw alignment. Our doctors also listen for any abnormal sounds emanating from the jaw.
- Electromyography (EMG) – This method uses the electricity generated by jaw muscles to measure both muscle and nerve function. It can help to see when there is a reaction (such as pain) to movement.
- Computerized test equipment – This is used to measure the correct resting position of the jaw, identifying misalignment problems.
Treatments For TMJ
A variety of approaches are used to treat TMD. These can run from relaxation exercises at home to anti-inflammatory medications, from traditional dental work to creating a splint for nighttime use. Sometimes, it’s a process of trial and error; we’ll try a certain approach and if it doesn’t have the desired effect, we’ll move to the next option.
These are some of the methods we use to help our patients overcome TMD:
- Cosmetic dentistry – To correct alignment, we can replace missing teeth with dental implants or bridges, crown overly worn teeth, or move the teeth with orthodontics. This can involve widening constricted arches.
- Splints or night guards – Night grinding and clenching is often a main fact or in TMD. To combat this, it’s important to put the jaw in the correct position at night. To do this, we fabricate plastic mouthpieces that fitover the upper and lower teeth. These are usually worn at night.
- Exercises – Tightening the jaw muscles and clenching the teeth is a common cause of TMD problems. We have various jaw exercises that stimulate and relax the jaw muscles.
- Medication – Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication can be effective.
- Lifestyle changes – Stress and anxiety are often root causes; stress reduction techniques are important.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – Small electrical pulses are delivered to the jaw muscles through a small wand. These pulses stimulate the nerves, encouraging the muscles to relax and the jaw to fall into alignment.
Acupuncture is also available upon request by Cindy Haxel conveniently located in Golden, CO. Dr. Kenson can discuss this treatment option with you during your consultation.
What Our Patients Have To Say
“I feel very comfortable and safe, which is something I’ve never felt at a dentist.”
“This is the finest dental office I have been to in my 68 years of life- and I’ve had some fine dentists through the years. I am always glad to come see their doctor and her staff.””
Can TMD Go Away On Its Own?
People sometimes believe their TMD is simply the resultof a phase in life, such as a stressful situation at work. If the stressors are removed, a person’s TMD may resolve itself. But if the jaw is out of alignment, the condition needs treatment. Correction may be as simple as creating a custom nightguard to wear while sleeping to stop teeth grinding and clenching, or treatment may be much more involved. Every case is unique. In extreme cases, surgery could be necessary.
What Will Happen If TMJ Goes Untreated?
Without treatment, the pain from TMJ can worsen. Untreated TMJ can lead to other medical conditions such as debilitating jaw or neck pain, depression, malnutrition resulting from the pain.
TMD/TMJ Treatment FAQs
Sometimes. Jaw clicking or popping can occur when the temporomandibular joint isn’t moving smoothly or the cushioning disc inside the joint shifts during movement. If the sounds aren’t accompanied by pain or limited movement, treatment may not be necessary. However, when clicking or popping is associated with discomfort, headaches, or jaw locking, treating the underlying cause may reduce or eliminate these symptoms. After a comprehensive evaluation, your dentist will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your specific diagnosis.
Yes. Unlike over-the-counter mouthguards, custom TMJ appliances are fabricated specifically for your bite and jaw position. A properly fitted appliance helps reduce pressure on the jaw joints, limits nighttime clenching and grinding, and encourages a more comfortable jaw position while you sleep. Because every patient’s bite is different, a custom appliance generally provides a more precise fit and greater comfort than store-bought alternatives.
During a TMJ flare-up, it’s often helpful to limit foods that place excessive strain on the jaw. Hard foods such as nuts, hard candy, ice, and raw carrots can increase discomfort, as can chewy foods like bagels, steak, and chewing gum. Softer foods (including yogurt, eggs, pasta, cooked vegetables, smoothies, and soups) allow the jaw muscles and joints to rest while symptoms improve. Your dentist can provide individualized recommendations based on your condition.
There isn’t a single timeline for TMJ treatment because every case is different. Some patients experience noticeable improvement within a few weeks of wearing a custom oral appliance or making lifestyle modifications. More complex cases involving bite correction or restorative dentistry may require several months to achieve lasting results. Throughout treatment, your progress will be monitored, and recommendations will be adjusted as your symptoms improve.
Most patients with TMJ disorder do not require surgery. Conservative treatments—including custom splints, bite therapy, stress management, exercises, and medication—successfully relieve symptoms for many individuals. Surgery is generally considered only after non-surgical options have been exhausted or when there is significant structural damage within the joint. If surgical care is ever appropriate, your dentist will discuss your options and coordinate referrals when necessary.
Insurance coverage varies depending on your dental and medical benefits and the type of treatment recommended. Some plans cover diagnostic imaging, oral appliances, or other aspects of TMJ therapy, while others may have limitations or exclusions. Before treatment begins, our team will help review your available benefits and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs so you can make an informed decision.
Yes. Many people unconsciously clench or grind their teeth when they’re stressed, especially while sleeping. This additional pressure strains the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, often making TMJ symptoms more noticeable. While reducing stress alone may not resolve TMJ disorder, combining stress-management techniques with professional treatment can often improve comfort and reduce flare-ups.
Request A Consultation
Our doctors have a commitment to patience satisfaction that is unmatched, if you or a loved one is suffering from TMJ or TMD in the Denver area, we can eliminate this discomfort. To schedule a TMJ disorder consultation with our doctors, call (303) 277-9600 today!