TMJ Explained
TMJ is an acronym for the Temporomandibular Joints or simply your jaw joints. All normal healthy people have a pair, one on each side of their head. Health care professionals, and therefore the general public, for decades have used “TMJ” to refer to a broad range of disorders affecting not only the TM joints, but also associated structures of the head and neck. The proper generalized terms for these types of conditions are Craniofacial Pain (CFP) and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). TM joint disorders are a subcategory of TMD. There are over 200 different diagnoses associated with CFP-TMD and different treatments apply to each. The correct diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.
What Causes TMJ?
People develop TMJ when there is an imbalance in the function of the head and jaw, muscles, joints and teeth. TMJ can occur as a result of inadequate growth of the jaws, mal-alignment of the teeth, multiple or complex dental procedures or restorations, injury, or any combination of these.
The major factor in the etiology of most TMJ conditions is subtle, but significant deficiencies in growth and development of the upper and lower jaws. Most of the growth deficiencies can now be successfully treated gently and non-surgically. Another frequent cause of TMJ symptom development is trauma such as blows to the head and jaws, cervical whiplash and other misadventures.
