TMJ is the syndrome that happens when the muscles in the jaw and the temporomandibular joint are out of alignment or misaligned, causing problems when chewing. In plain English, the ligaments, muscles, bones and joints do not line up, causing pain. Some 60 million Americans have TMJ.

• Some Symptoms Associated with TMJ:
  • a clicking, popping or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
  • headaches and/or dizziness
  • tenderness in the jaw muscles
  • earache
  • jaws that sometimes lock open when yawning or if mouth is held open
  • spasm or cramps in the jaw area (very common)

• What Causes TMJ? These are the most common causes:

  • accidents
  • developmental (natural) defects, including the wearing-down of teeth or fillings causing a misalignment of the teeth
  • surgery
  • orthodontics
  • stress that causes clenching of the jaws and grinding of the teeth
  • naturally misaligned teeth

• What Can be Done to Correct TMJ?
  If the temporomandibular area has been damaged by arthritis or as a result of an accident, surgery may be needed to correct the TMJ and re-establish the proper occlusion. Far more likely, your doctor will recommend a therapy that may include a bite splint and specific exercises to keep the teeth from touching and to allow the joint to remain lined up, allowing the jaw's hinge area to relax. Such therapy increases your comfort by diminishing the TMJ pain. If a splint is prescribed for you, it is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions regarding the amount of time and time of day you must wear it.

• If your condition is temporomandibular joint irregularity (TMJ), you need to wear your splint all the time unless directed otherwise.
  Do not remove the splint when you eat, as this would compromise your treatment and diminish its effect. The splint stops tooth-to-tooth contact and keeps your jaw lined up properly, allowing the muscles and joint area to heal. As this healing takes place and the symptoms gradually disappear, your doctor will adjust your splint to keep your teeth properly aligned. During this period of your therapy, you will begin wearing the splint fewer hours of the day and, after a period of time; you will no longer need to wear a splint.

• Grinding ("bruxism") and Clenching 
  These conditions require you to wear your splint only at night, while sleeping. Clean the splint by brushing it. Keep it in water and mouthwash solution when it is not in your mouth.

Physical Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Irregularity (TMJ)

• The purpose of this therapy is to "train" your lower jaw to function freely and without pain. Many situations cause the malfunction of your lower jaw. Examples are: accidents, surgery, developmental defects, peculiar oral habits, numerous fillings placed over many years, orthodontics, stress, bruxism (clenching or grinding of teeth), and other conditions.
  
• The following therapy will usually relax the jaw muscles considerably if you are consistent in carrying them out. Approximately 80% of patients with muscular jaw problems feel better when doing this therapy.

Therapy:

• Heat 
  Apply heating pad, hot washcloth, hot water bottle, or other heat source to the affected areas for five (5) minutes before beginning exercise.
• Exercises 
  Carry out the following exercises for one (1) minute each (total of 5 minutes):
• Open-Close
  Place fist under front of jaw to resist opening movement. Do not cause pain. Be gentle. Open and close jaw 30 times in one (1) minute.
• Forward
  Move jaw forward and back with fist on front of chin.
• Right 
  Move jaw to right with fist on right front of chin to resist movement.
• Left
  Move jaw to left with fist on left of front of chin to resist movement.
• Neck Turn 
  Sit up very straight. Rotate head as far right as possible and gently force turn once every two (2) seconds for 30 seconds. Turn head to left and repeat.
• Heat
  Apply heat for another five (5) minutes.
• Further treatment may be needed to assist in your treatment 
  This may include a plastic bite splint to assist in making you bite in the correct position (an "occlusal splint"), or slight, careful trimming of teeth and fillings to make your teeth and jaws come together correctly ("occlusal equilibration").
• Please call us if you have any questions or concerns either now, or at any time during your therapy: 212.371.1414