Headaches. Toothaches. Earaches. We all get them. But, when the pain is persistent and its source can’t be identified, the problem might actually be coming from your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the structures that connect your jaw to your head. These two little joints that sit in front of your ears are among the most complicated in the body and cause nearly 35 million Americans great pain and suffering.

TMJs are different from the body’s other joints because they use a combination of hinge and sliding motions. When these joints and the jaw’s controlling muscles work well, they control a person’s ability to talk, chew and yawn. When they aren’t working properly, TMJs can cause a variety of painful symptoms.

In fact, any problem affecting the TMJs and their surrounding anatomy – the complex system of muscles, bones and joints in the mouth and face – are considered a TMJ disorder. Diagnosis can be difficult. Treatment options vary.

Symptoms of TMJ can include one or more of the following:

• Jaw discomfort or soreness.
• Pain radiating behind the eyes, in the face, shoulder, neck and back.
• Earaches or ringing in the ears when no infection is present.
• Limited ability to move the mouth.
• Clicking or popping of the jaw.

“TMJ affects everyone differently,” said Brian M. Smith, D.M.D., Head of the Division of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Director of the Center for Oral Facial Enhancement and TMJ Disorders at Cooper. “We spend a significant amount of time with our patients to learn as much about them, their lifestyle and any problems they may be having before embarking on a treatment plan.”

According to Dr. Smith, some people can get through TMJ discomfort by resting the mouth and face muscles, applying ice packs or eating soft foods. Others can use over-the-counter pain medications or oral appliances, such as stabilization splints or bite guards.

“However, when these treatments don’t work, surgery often is needed to clear the jaw of any scar tissue or disease,” Dr. Smith said.

Cooper is the only facility in South Jersey to offer patients minimally invasive TMJ arthroscopy. Cooper’s surgeons use instruments only 1 millimeter in diameter. The scope is about the size of the tip of a pen and is much smaller than those used in the past and is much less painful for the patient. The procedures are done in the office under sedation and take less than an hour. Recovery takes a day or so.

Remember, a wide variety of possible conditions can cause TMJ symptoms, including arthritis. Cooper’s specially trained experts in facial pain can help diagnose and treat TMJ disorders.

Related Links

• Health eTalk Web Chat: Snap, Crackle and Pop – The Agonizing Sounds of TMJ Disorders
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery